Last night, something truly amazing happened at IFG’s Community Hub.
In just two hours, our space became a living reminder of what is possible when people are truly invited to show up as themselves.
Justin, a young man living with a disability, chose to spend his birthday volunteering with us. That alone says so much. But Justin’s story goes even deeper. He helped two of his friends, who also live with disabilities, navigate public transportation so they could make the trip to our Hub and volunteer too. He did not just show up. He made sure others could show up with him.
That is leadership.
We first noticed Justin’s talent through his involvement in our Sleeping Mat Project and his volunteer work at our local library. Today, he is one of our paid
corporate instructors, helping lead IFG’s corporate engagement experiences with companies like Marsh, Pfizer, Merck and others.
We were also joined by Josh and Aisha, two seventh graders from Germantown Academy, who came to volunteer while capturing the evening for their Lead Lab
school project. What a gift to see young people learning this early that leadership is not about titles. It is about service, curiosity, and using your voice to shine a
light on what matters. A huge shoutout to Germantown Academy for creating opportunities for every seventh grader to volunteer, reflect, and even compete for
a donation to support the organization where they serve. What an incredible model for growing the next generation of changemakers.
Then there was Faye.
After a meaningful career and a well-earned retirement, Faye is somehow busier than ever giving back across our community. She found IFG through the
Harleysville Senior Center. After learning the Sleeping Mat Project herself only a short time ago, she stepped right up and taught a whole room full of volunteers
how to do it.
