“What I have enjoyed most is the supportive environment I find myself in. Any time one of us is struggling, the rest of us are quick to offer solutions and aid in problem-solving.”
Grace Taylor grew up in University Heights, Ohio and attended John Carroll University where she earned a degree in Sociology. Grace is passionate about social justice and human rights, which she has pursued through opportunities to lead and serve others. Grace has devoted considerable time to the Domestic Violence and Child Advocacy Center, a shelter for abused women and children, where she primarily worked with children one on one. In her free time, Grace enjoys hiking, biking, journaling, and yoga. Grace is a part of the East End cohort and serves at Habitat for Humanity of Greater Pittsburgh. Grace was interviewed by Joanna Peters.
Joanna: How has PULSE inspired you to live/think/act differently?
Grace: PULSE inspired me to be aware of other people’s needs as well as my own while living in community. It has helped me to understand my needs of self-care and to actively advocate for that. PULSE helped me to think differently about the action of serving others in relation to the communities that I live in and serve in. How has it made me act? It has put me in situations where I actively serve and build trust in those places that I serve. Even though my presence is not always needed, I find myself wanting to be there and be involved.
Joanna: What have you enjoyed most about living in community? How have you and your housemates pushed/encouraged one another?
Grace: What I have enjoyed most is the supportive environment I find myself in. Any time one of us is struggling, the rest of us are quick to offer solutions and aid in problem-solving. We honestly are a great team. Upon moving in, we were all willing to step up and do what we needed to do in order to make our house a home.
Joanna: What have you enjoyed most about your nonprofit partnership?
Grace: What I really enjoy about serving at Habitat for Humanity of Greater Pittsburgh is that it’s so life-changing. I have really appreciated that they have trusted me since day one and are confident in my abilities, even when I am not. They are always ready and willing to help when I have questions or concerns. I appreciate the independence that I am given because it helps me with leadership and time management. I know that this service is increasing the quality of life of every single individual that we serve.
Joanna: What are three words you would use to describe your PULSE year so far?
Grace: Challenging. Humbling. Thriving.
Joanna: What is the most interesting/fun adventure you’ve had in Pittsburgh so far?
Grace: Sierra and I going downtown for World Market and parking realllllllyyy far away just to get free parking. We ended up walking around the city and had a really freeing experience.
Joanna: Tell me something you are learning about yourself through PULSE.
Grace: That I am worth it. That I can accomplish anything I put my mind to no matter how much I doubt myself. I have been getting connected to my breath and finding my problem-solving skills increasing.
Read more Fellow Stories about their experience in PULSE. If you would like to learn more about the PULSE program, please visit our Serve with Us page.
Also, check out other Stories of Transformation: