2019 Leadership Fellows Retreat

The 2019 HELM Leadership Fellows represent more than 20 colleges and universities from across the United States. Comprised of 32 university students, the HELM Leadership Fellows attended their annual retreat in Oakland and San Francisco, California on October 31 to November 3. Given the opportunity to explore the housing crisis of the greater Bay Area from several vantage points, this year’s Leadership Fellows were transformed and challenged by the systematic injustice taking place in the Bay Area. Woven into the difficult topics of displacement, systematic racism, and violent capitalism were opportunities for the 2019 cohort to fellowship and grow together through such challenging themes. Below are some photos from the retreat.

2019 HELM Leadership Fellows, Board Members, HELM Staff, and Starr Watkins during walking tour of Downtown Berkeley. Photo by Abraham Arthur.

Rev. Vy Nguyen answers questions about the ministry and impact that Week of Compassion makes around the world. Photo by Abraham Arthur.

Rev. Jha has HELM Fellows discuss in small groups during her plenary session, prompting them to think of ways to be advocates for racial justice reform in their respective communities. Photo by Abraham Arthur.

HELM Board Member and NBA Mission Specialist, Ben Bohren, gives a presentation to the HELM Leadership Fellows. Photo by Abraham Arthur.

A small group of the Leadership Fellows take a quick visit to see the Golden Gate Bridge. Photo by Chris Dorsey.

HELM Leadership Fellows snap a quick selfie as they transition between activities (from left to right: Paulina Garcia, Iris Jang, Emily Swett, Gracie Wagnon, Clay York, William Matherly, and Hamin Yang). Photo by Emily Sweet.

Rev. Sandhya Jha gives an interactive plenary at the Oakland Peace Center to explore the intersection of systematic racism and capitalism, as well as historic organizing efforts to dismantle them. Photo by Abraham Arthur.

Local community organizer, Starr Watkins, guides us through Downtown Berkley to discuss recent displacements of Berkeley’s houseless citizens, as well as newly implemented policies that sometimes further harm these same citizens. Photo by Abraham Arthur.

HELM Fellows enjoy First Fridays in Oakland, a locally organized and lead art event that is free to the public and features live music, local artisans, and delicious food from around the world (from left to right: Jordan White, Emma Faye Crider, Hobbs, Colten Johnson, Yejin Lim, and Patrick McCarthy). Photo by a member of the Oakland community.