Becoming Leaders: Reflections from Rebecca Via and Joseph Via

​A few years ago, the leadership at Crossing Thresholds decided to make a commitment to bring younger voices to the table. For an organization dedicated to optimizing the potential of the world’s youth, we found that young adults were underrepresented and underutilized in our conversations and decision- making. The Emerging Leaders Initiative (ELI) was established to help Crossing Thresholds grow into a more well-rounded NGO. Our goal is to lead by example and show that young people are critical in leadership positions. This past January, for the first time, ELI was represented as trip leaders in Kenya. 

As we embarked on yet another trip to Kenya, we were encouraged and excited to represent the ELI team as trip leaders and ambassadors. When we first came to Kenya as children, we were wide eyed and eager. Participating in service trips was an incredible privilege, but for many years we had no idea how to optimize our skills and talents in a cross-cultural context. It is not an easy undertaking.  Nonetheless, it is our deepest conviction that inter-generational leadership teams are nonnegotiable IF we are to address the challenges facing young people around the world.  We must inspire our peers to step up, get involved, and share the responsibility of building a better world.  
On this last trip, our perspective grew larger and sharper.  As young professionals, we became hyper -aware that we must set an example and encourage those around us to step out of their comfort zone. Only then can more young people follow in our footsteps and share their ideas. For the children of Kibera, it is important to see young people, both Kenyan and American, making a difference. 
So here is what we have learned and what we want our fellow young professionals to take away from our experience: 

1. The world belongs to all of us – its beauty and its pain.  If beauty and pain belong to all of us, responsibility must also belong to all of us.
2. Be curious and ASK lots of questions. The smartest people are always asking questions.  The smartest people are always learning.  Curiosity is inspiring and contagious.  It allows a person to grow and be of greater service. 
3. Listen.  Curiosity is awesome.  It’s even more impactful to be a good listener.  
4. Act. Young people often do not know how they can contribute so they turn inward rather than outward.  Any journey starts with a single step.  No step is perfect.  There will always be reasons to say NO but look for the YES moments. 
5. Be humble and vulnerable.  These qualities are gateways to the gift of community.  The most meaningful experiences in life can happen when confronted with the unknown, and some of the best conversations take place between people who share their pain and uncertainty.
6. Keep exploring. Growth, opportunity, and confidence will follow.

The healing of the world does not belong to one nation, one class, one race, one religion or one generation.  It belongs to all of us.  We are grateful that Crossing Thresholds carries that vision, and has put their trust in the likes of us.  Together we learn.  Together we build.  Together we change.    


Rebecca Via & Joseph Via
CT ELI Co-Chair and CT ELI Member