Staff Spotlight: Meet Drew, Our Director of Generosity
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As part of our Mobilization Team, Drew is cultivating relationships with young supporters, our monthly Hope Exchange donors, and more!
Drew shares the place that has played a big part in his NYC journey, plus how serving at All Angels' Church has added to his perspective about serving neighbors in need.
What do you love most about New York City? And any favorite places or neighborhoods?
I love the people and their stories! We are all rubbing shoulders constantly. Whether strolling through a park or (literally) running an errand around town, the proximity to the people provides such wonderful opportunities for one to grow in perspective and to look beyond oneself and engage a neighbor.
Central Park has been my constant destination for both respite and community over the last decade. It's been a backdrop for many life milestones, like proposing to my wife.
I’ve lived on the Upper West Side and in Harlem, so I enjoy those neighborhoods. I also have fond memories in SoHo, which is where my first office was located when I moved to the city.
Describe a time when volunteering changed your faith outlook and your desire to support neighbors in need. Is there a community connected to your heart?
Volunteering with HFNY affiliates over the years has been integral to my outlook on being the hands and feet of Jesus. One recent time at All Angels' Church, though, was particularly impactful. It was my first time serving with them in awhile, but I was instantly reminded of their heart posture and intentional care for the neighborhood as soon as I walked down their block. The conversations with guests, staff, and other volunteers embodied much of what I mentioned above about sharing life together and seeing beyond oneself to care for and be with neighbors and friends. As I’ve served with organizations like All Angels', the consistent posture of humility and intentionality has stuck with me.
Are there any books or movies you would recommend that impacted your outlook on mercy and justice?
The Bible provides a lot of information on this topic that continues to shape me today. My high school senior quote (for the yearbook) was Micah 6:8. The words of that Scripture have resounded in my mind for years, even before I truly knew what it meant to express them. That verse, paired with the Philippians 2:1-11 passage, informs a lot about how I think about caring for all neighbors, modeling the servant heart of Jesus.