Taking the Vow of Community

DVULI Grads aspire to remain connected

In the spring of 2005 June Williams Smith (Pittsburgh, 2004) graduated with the DeVos class of 2004. She remembers the ceremony and the sad emotions that accompanied what felt like the end of a family bond formed among new friends. The support system brought tremendous value to her work in youth ministry. Discovering that she was not all alone and that others could relate to what she faced in the plight for developing urban youth was comforting. Still graduation day was a happy time for June because she believed the future looked bright for this group of Pittsburgh based urban youth workers who had become so close.

“I was wondering how we would all be able to stay connected,” said June who also built relationships with participants from Albuquerque, Detroit, Memphis and Philadelphia at the national conferences that year. “There is so much to be gained and so much more support, especially in your own city, that could be of benefit to each other and the youth.”

Five years later, June hasn’t given up on staying in touch with her Pittsburgh DeVos fellows. Via email she regularly sends updates, circulates prayer requests and local gathering announcements to the alumni. When possible June will attend youth events conducted by other alumni and local network meetings. She’s also hosted cookouts for alumni and their families at her home. “I see the connections and how supporting one another is so helpful,” said June.

“Bar-raising” expectations for graduates

DVULI graduations are very special events that each cohort independently plans and presents. Some have formal dinners, with entertainment and special honors for mentors, family and more. Others host a more casual affair but they are all about recognizing each graduate’s accomplishment and those who have supported them along the way.

In recent years many DVULI graduating cities have made committing to remain together a significant part of their ceremonial agenda. This year in Phoenix, alumnus Kit Danley (Phoenix, 1998) was the invited keynote. She challenged graduates to: change, stay together and equip the next generation. “My challenge to all of us is to revisit the mandate that the DeVos classes before you desired to become a part of…I wonder if seven years from now, we will remember we hoped to do something together,” said Kit in her speech.

In Atlanta, DVULI staff liaison, Ron Carter charged the 2008 graduates to demonstrate their gratitude by working hard at staying together and to give away what’s been invested in them. As a reminder of the family unity they formed, a participant designed and distributed a t-shirt to each graduate with the group’s caricature faces drawn by hand on the front.

The Kansas City 2008 graduating class developed a formal proclamation with a gold seal. It contained six statements of commitment to stay together and fulfill what they themed a “Journey of Purpose”. Before framing it, each cohort member signed the document and presented one to the DVULI staff during their ceremony.

Tightening the commitment

Often, after participants finish the 15-month training it means making some life changes. The reality is that not every alumnus can keep a momentum of staying connected with graduates as they’d like. For those who choose to stay involved with fellow alumni, opportunities for collaborating formally or informally are available and rich with reward.

The fifth Local workshop, when DVULI participants present Breakthrough Plans, is where strategies and concepts for collaboration are explored to provide alumnus with framework for working together.

DVULI cities such as Boston, Grand Rapids and Houston have taken the formal approach by establishing their own non-profit organizations that offer leadership training and development for local urban youth workers and teens. Other alumni cities such as Pittsburgh, Los Angeles and Detroit have engaged in event driven projects with short term commitments, while some cities keep the lines of communication open via Facebook, email or phone calls.

“I read the DeVos newsletter to get caught up with what’s going on in different [graduate’s] lives, but I want more than that,” says June. “I want to sit and talk and fellowship… when that connection is lost it makes me feel like there is a little piece missing.”

Though strongly recommended, the DeVos Initiative does not require graduates to remain engaged. Staff liaisons are assigned to each city to facilitate discussions with those who are committed to doing so.

Last May Atlanta, Kansas City, Minneapolis, Phoenix and San Diego city groups each held graduations ceremonies locally. The DVULI staff extends congratulations to the graduates, their leadership and supporters. This makes more than 50 city groups in eleven years that have completed the DVULI.

Posted On: Thursday, June 18, 2009 -- Posted By: Gerald Bell

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