This quote comes from Katie Hulihan, a QVS Fellow serving in Philadelphia at Fleisher Art Memorial.
On June 17, 2021, Katie joined supporters and Friends for QVS’ 2nd Annual Supporters’ Briefing and shared about her experience in QVS. She reflected on the preconceived ideas of what community was supposed to look and feel like.
She shared that, in actuality, “living and being in community is like being a part of a living thing… there was a period where we felt broken beyond repair. Like there was something fundamentally wrong going on. It was this really pervasive feeling that we had once felt such a closeness, or this really unique bond that now was so broken. And in searching within ourselves and within each other, we were able to find a lot of a lot of unconventional ways of healing.”
Katie goes on to share about the tools and readings she and her housemates learned about from her City Coordinator and other QVS staff. Readings like the Four Stages of Community by M. Scott Peck and tools for transforming conflict.
Click Play Below to Watch Katie’s Recorded Testimonial (6 min, beginning at 13:39)
“As someone who did not think that they would have a job out of college, QVS has really grounded me and centered me and allowed me to create a new and unique career path for myself, in a totally unexpected way.”
– Katie Hulihan
Katie’s testimonial was recorded as part of QVS’ 2nd Annual Supporters’ Briefing on June 17, 2021. Check out this blog post to see the event’s recap and other special highlights!
More about Katie
Katie Hulihan (she/her) graduated from Bryn Mawr College where she designed an independent major in film studies. While in school, she had the opportunity to shadow great filmmakers and documentarians. In her spare time, she loves performing, dancing, fine arts, and improv comedy. Katie is a member of Newtown Monthy Meeting in Bucks County, PA where she grew up. She learned to appreciate and practice Quaker values at Camp Onas while attending and working on staff for many years. She is now honored to join the Friends Camp Association to serve on the board of directors for the beloved sleep-away camp. Katie has a passion for arts, expression, and community building. She is thrilled to start her fellowship with the Fleisher Art Memorial in Philadelphia, where her Grandmom took art classes in the late 1940s.
What sorts of programming and tools are Fellows offered during their year?
Every other Friday throughout the 11-month fellowship, QVS Fellows attend QVS Days instead of working at their site placements.
QVS Days offer Fellows a chance to slow down and be in community. For the first part of the year, QVS staff take the lead in planning and facilitating QVS Days. They support Fellows in exploring their individual and communal journeys, as well as discussing work, community living, Quakerism, spiritual practices, and social justice issues. As the year progresses, Fellows take a more active role in planning and facilitating QVS Days.
Over the course of the year, Fellows learn tools like: clerking and Quaker decision-making processes, clearness committees, conflict transformation, signs of defensiveness, and tons more. Additionally, at the start of the year, Fellows attend a week-long orientation with all QVS Fellows from across the country, as well as a mid-year and a closing retreat with their city cohort.
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