JUMPING SHIP AND A NECESSARY PIVOT

 

This week, I am starting a new job, as a Grants Writer with Timmons Group (a civil engineering and environmental services firm based in Richmond). After nearly 20 years, I won’t be working in the nonprofit or philanthropic sector. On the one hand this feels like jumping ship in a critical moment, on the other hand it feels like a healthy and necessary pause and pivot. 

Since having my first child in 2019 and working on sustainability projects at VACV, I became curious about how I could leverage my skills as a grants and technical writer to stop climate change. I’m excited to continue to work on issues related to the built and natural environment in my new role, helping municipalities and nonprofits around the state access funds for resilient and green infrastructure, multimodal transportation, renewable energy, and more.

As Lea wrote recently, we have to let ourselves grieve losses and take time for joy before we move to action. Otherwise the endless cycle of negative things happening in the world will overwhelm our ability to cope. We’ve been through a lot together since starting Virginia Community Voice in 2019–the pandemic, Trump, the genocide in Gaza, global warming, movements for racial equity, backlash to DEI. I can’t list all the ways, but being with people doing justice work in this time has been transformative for me personally. 

Over the past year, I think I have been grieving this current moment. I’ve taken time, slowly, and intentionally, to shore up aspects of the organization, build skills and internally process leaving a place and people I love. I’ve talked with Lea openly about my plans, and am grateful for her grace, wisdom and guidance. I think I’m in the joy stage now. :) In that spirit, here are five things I am grateful for and will carry with me into this next phase of my life:

  1. Community is not a census tract, it’s a choice. If we’re going to resist the forces that seek to divide us, we have to consciously choose to build relationships with our neighbors, and think of strangers as “people we do not yet know,” per Valerie Kaur.

  2. Tension is normal, and never the end. White people, remember this: we can handle the truth of our history, we can process our pain and pain we’ve caused, and still be useful. Racial equity and climate change are not someone else’s problem. They’re ours.

  3. Anger can point us to where the pain is, and fuel us in the fight. Think of it as a gift.

  4. We need to Rest. We can access more of ourselves when we sleep and dream. We need to take more breaks from work. Move our bodies everyday. Be outside a lot. Sing together. Howl at the moon. Let ourselves laugh and play. 🙂

  5. This is not the end. Working with community organizers has taught me that there is no “giving up.” This is not the first time people of color and other marginalized groups have experienced setbacks in this country. Each time, they grieve the loss, celebrate the wins, and prepare for the next action. That’s what we do now.

I hope you all will continue to support, champion, and amplify the great work of Virginia Community Voice. I know I will, with all my heart. To neighbors on the Southside–thank you for welcoming me into your neighborhoods and homes, and for your trust, collaboration, and shared vision for a more equitable Commonwealth. I’ll see you soon.

Love, Bekah

Find me at rebekahhkendrick@gmail.com or bekah.kendrick@timmons.com 

 
VACV