Amy Beckwith

Background

About Amy Beckwith

Alleviating poverty through mission work has been a part of my life since I was in middle school. Growing up in Arlington, VA, I had many opportunities to work with Habitat for Humanity, building projects, feeding, and education programs. Each summer, I would participate in a mission trip to Scranton, PA, or Richmond, VA, where we would spend a week working with Habitat for Humanity. As a Director of Youth Ministries, I focus my ministry on teaching youth about poverty and engaging youth in community service. Community engagement is key to empowering communities that face poverty to be successful. Loudoun County and Fairfax County, where I have worked and currently live and work, are wealthy communities. At times, our youth and adults have trouble understanding that there are people who live in poverty in these communities. Through community engagement, I encourage youth and adults to step out of their comfort zones into communities where people live in poverty. These experiences show youth and adults that relationship-building is the first step toward community service. Then comes the hard part; working with those in poverty to become self-sufficient. In my current and past employment, I have been one who cared about the details, enjoyed exploring the world through different perspectives, and viewed collaboration as essential to being successful. I have looked at challenges as opportunities for growth, valued opportunities to problem solve, and have been productive working on different projects.