Living into Childhood Dreams - Ashley Hart

In 2014, Becca Schneider and I stepped onto a plane for my first trip to Kibera. It was during this trip that our conversations drifted to discussing the accessibility of non-profit work and our desire to find ways to let more people share in these experiences. By the end of our trip, a pact was made that we would one day co-chair a board of a non-profit together to bring our visions to life. This pact was memorialized by a calendar reminder set to go off in 2024. When this reminder went off eleven years later, we were ready to make good on our promise to each other and to Crossing Thresholds (CT). Now we are co-chairs of the Emerging Leaders Initiative (ELI), and we are preparing to run our very first ELI trip together. As we take these next steps, I wanted to reflect on how I got here and what this journey means to me.  
​
ELI did not start with me, it began as a commitment from the senior leadership at CT  - a way to bring fresh ideas and energetic young people to the forefront of the organization to create the future of CT’s leadership and drive meaningful, lasting impact. The original team of Josh Pedowitz and Becca Schneider brought the incredible vision of ELI to life, and I am excited to step into this role alongside Becca to continue to expand the reach of Crossing Thresholds and ELI. Together, we are opening doors for young leaders within our own communities who want to bring their time, effort, and creativity to the Kibera Slum.

My involvement in CT and ELI is not a new component to my life. Ever since my first trip in 2014, CT has remained a constant presence in my life. However, as life got crazy (i.e., college, law school, first jobs, etc.) and my ability to go on an additional trip became strained, I found myself asking: how can I remain involved beyond trip participation? This question was answered when one evening, Becca told me about her and Josh’s engagement with ELI. Over the five years ELI has grown, so has my involvement. First, I was a sounding board for new ideas, and last Spring, my involvement grew to hosting our first-ever Spring event with the ELI Team. At this first event, we focused on cultivating interest and bringing fresh, young, new minds into the CT and ELI family.

The success of ELI’s first event cemented in all of us the knowledge that we were on the right path. For me personally, it validated the idea that started as a conversation between two friends eleven years ago - young people want ways to be involved and make real change. That’s why there are no words to adequately describe the excitement I feel as I step into this role with my closest friend by my side. If there is anything ELI has proven, it is that these fresh ideas, passion, and excitement are a critically important piece of driving CT to the next level. I am excited to bring just that while we continue to grow ELI through increasing accessibility, building connections, and opening doors for the next generations' involvement. 
​
This first year as co-chair is a pivotal one. We are building off of last year’s success and have launched the first-ever ELI trip to Kibera. This trip has a dual focus:  1) to provide an experience focused on growing connections between our communities, and 2) to build an urban garden to support the feeding programs at CT’s five schools.  On the more practical side, this trip has been designed at a more accessible price point for the younger, 18+, generation who is looking for a more approachable way to get involved. The volume of interest in this trip has been nothing short of exciting. If this trip sounds like something you would like to join, there are a few spots left, and we would love to have you! In addition, we are hosting another Spring fundraiser to support our trip and the creation of the ELI fund.  This event will aim to reunite past trip participants who seek to financially support the mission through donations and intellectually by providing advice and guidance to the new participants. We would love to have you join us on May 31st for this exciting event!

To say I am excited is an understatement because this is a dream fulfilled. Be a part of our shared dream and share in our excitement. Join us on May 31st in NYC, or (if you are a young leader) join our trip!
​
Sincerely, 
Ashley Hart

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE ELI TRIP!