I am pleased to present to you a story from my good friend Katie Furr.  She has spent her post-college years living, working, and doing good in New York City.  Enjoy!

As a Southern transplant to NYC, whenever I tell people (mainly in the South) that I live here, they usually respond, “Oh I love New York, but I could NEVER live there! Too big, too many people.”  Yet, I have found something really lovely about living in such a big place. New York, as expansive as it may be, is really as small as you make it.

I walk streets that warm with familiarity. Every day, on my way to the train, I pass Habeeb, who sells me my coffee, ride with the same commuters, and the deli guys where I grab lunch have a welcoming smile. Community has been redefined in a really beautiful way.

When Matt asked me to write about doing good in the big city, I felt like this sense of belonging was such an essential part. I contribute here because I feel very connected to my neighborhood, and want it to improve. The way I “do good” in New York is by volunteering at a local nonprofit. I actually worked there my first two years in New York and that is the reason I fell in love with this part of town.  The organization is Rauschenbusch Metro Ministries (RMM) and it is located in Hell’s Kitchen (where I now reside).  It was established fifteen years ago by a church that saw a neighborhood with growing needs.

RMM serves the community through after school programs for teens and kids, homeless outreach, and an English as a second language program. It also opens its doors for holiday parties and meals.  I have been fortunate to be a part of each of the different aspects of service.  My time there was filled with a host of wonderful experiences.

These days, I am a public school teacher, but I still volunteer with RMM.  I lend a hand because the people there are part of my community.  And for me personally, helping Ani study for a test, working with Joseph to improve his reading, or assisting Kate with buying groceries make me feel like I am bringing a little bit of DoGoodedness to NYC and making my big city feel a little smaller.

All the Best,

Katie Furr

Please feel free to email Matt@DoGoodedness with any suggestions, thoughts, or stories of your own.