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How kindness changed my life My name is Esther Benson. I am in grade 7 at Northwood Academy Charter School in Philadelphia. For two years I have been attending the summer and after-school programs at the Oxford Circle Christian Community Development Association.

Oxford Circle introduced me to new cultures and their food, the basics of cooking and better ways of dealing with conflict. When I didn’t have a working computer at home, they allowed me to use theirs for homework. But the main reason I love Oxford Circle is the people and the kindness they have shown.

Before coming here, on most days I couldn’t control how I felt. I usually wasn’t feeling well and I yelled at others for no reason. But at Oxford Circle, I noticed the staff didn’t get mad at us, they didn’t yell; instead they forgave us when we misbehaved. This showed me a better way of dealing with people was to recognize that everyone is kind in some way and deserves to be treated as such. I realized I didn’t have to be angry all the time; instead I could handle situations differently. I began to enjoy myself and become the person I wanted to be. I learned how from the compassionate way they treated me.

Others noticed a difference in me, even recognizing my leadership potential. In fact, at last year’s summer camp, I was voted The Person Most Likely to be President of the United States. When people wonder how I changed I tell them Oxford Circle made me feel better about myself and now I can do good in the world.

NewsOxford Circle Christian Community Development Association, Abundant Life Academy and Crossroads Community Center are the three Philadelphia ministries that comprise Kingdom Builder’s Network Out-of-School-Time Collaborative. The collaborative helps to strengthen these programs that provide academic, spiritual and enrichment programming to vulnerable young people in South, North and Northeast Philadelphia.

Update Currently the Collaborative is focusing on self-care in the midst of serving children and youth. As staff and volunteers, we need to rest and make time for reflection—especially when our work is most demanding. This is a personal necessity so we can continue to extend compassion and kindness. It is also an important model for the next generation of leaders like Esther.

Esther participates in out-of-school time at at Oxford Circle Christian CDA.

XiaoHua Wen teaches Chinese Culture at Oxford Circle.

Spring 2015—United StatesKingdom Builders Network

Photos by Katie Gard Story by Esther Besson and Raquel Esteves-Joyce