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f e a t u r e

The Power of Radical Solidarity

T The young mothers faced a lot of

he sisters’ commitment to justice in radical
solidarity spoke to Sarah Ceponis. She felt a
challenges and barriers to opportunity
calling to make a difference in the world having
compared to what Sarah had
no idea what a difference the Bon Secours
experienced up to that point.
Volunteer Ministry (BSVM) would make in her life.
“On the surface, it may have seemed we did not have

“I naively thought I was going to help solve poverty,” says anything in common, but I fell in love with their kids, and
Sarah about her younger self. She served in the BSVM 2011–12 that was the starting point for building trust and realizing
cohort. “Ironically, a lot of the volunteer year was about stepping we had much in common.” Sarah remembers having a
away from the idea of ‘solving’ and more about being present, particularly difficult time connecting with one of the
bearing witness and building relationships.” The experience mothers at first, but eventually they became good friends.
instilled the power of accompaniment, and when she started her “BSVM gave me the tools to build relationships and
own social sector consulting business, after a decade of working understand the meaning of community.”

at nonprofits, she named it Accompaniment Consulting.
Sarah fell in love with Baltimore’s neighborhoods and
“Being a volunteer taught me how to live out my faith in neighbors and returned to the city to earn a master’s
a way I did not know was possible, focused on equity and degree in public health. Most significant, she met her
justice.” She cared for children husband, August Kunkel, through the volunteer ministry
in the childcare program program when she hosted a dinner to welcome the
at the Family Support 2014–15 volunteers, and he was in the cohort. They
Center while reside in West Baltimore with their two young children,
their parents, about two miles from where they served with BSVM.
predominately
young mothers, Sarah Ceponis, BSVM 2011-12, with her husband,
August Kunkel, BSVM 2014-15, and children
attended
Bram and Elodie.
GED classes.

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