“PULSE has served as a medium, or a catalyst, to help me connect and build relationships with people throughout the city; relationships that have been extremely impactful and mutually-beneficial.” – Ben Emswiler
Ben Emswiler grew up in Broadway, Virginia, and attended Eastern Mennonite University where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Religious and Intercultural Studies with a minor in Psychology. Ben has experience working with Congolese and Syrian refugees, spent his summer in Machakos, Kenya on a service trip, and has worked as a representative for Faith in Action, a Basketball coach for Broadway High School, and as a counselor with Citikidz Camp. He also enjoys playing any and all sports, fishing and kayaking, listening to music and going to concerts, reading, and watching good films. He is a part of the Northside cohort, and is serving with Neighborhood Allies.
Cecilia Lapp Stoltzfus: What has been the most valuable part of the PULSE experience so far?
Ben Emswiler: PULSE has impacted my process of discerning what my next steps in life are and the direction I want to head towards pertaining to passions, education, and vocation.
Cecilia: How has PULSE inspired you to live/think/act differently?
Ben: My nonprofit partnership has taught me a lot about community development, something I have never even thought about before. Now I think about everything through a new lens based on what I have learned and experienced at [Neighborhood Allies]. Other PULSErs have expanded my worldview on certain things while also helping to strengthen my convictions as well.
Cecilia: What do you enjoy most about your nonprofit partnership?
Ben: My coworkers are pretty cool.
Cecilia: What have you enjoyed most about living in community?
Ben: I really enjoy my housemates and getting to explore life together as recent college graduates in Pittsburgh.
Cecilia: Describe a typical day at your nonprofit partnership.
Ben: First of all no day is typical, but every day seems pretty laid back, to me at least. My partnership gives me a lot of freedom with the type of work I do on a daily basis. Sometimes I am working with my supervisor on a specific project. But no matter what it is, it is a constant learning experience.
Cecilia: What’s your favorite “family meal” recipe for the house?
Ben: Chicken and rice (5 days a week).
Cecilia: What is the best part of the PULSE experience?
Ben: The best part of PULSE is connecting with people who aren’t necessarily affiliated with PULSE in any way. PULSE has served as a medium, or a catalyst, to help me connect and build relationships with people throughout the city; relationships that have been extremely impactful and mutually-beneficial.
Story by PULSE Participant Cecilia Lapp Stoltzfus.
Read more Participant Stories from Fellows 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: