Fellows Spotlight | Julie Howard

The fellowship experience through Circle City Fellows gives Fellows a structured environment to learn about how their work is meaningful to the Mission of God and to the flourishing of the City of Indianapolis (and beyond). During nine months, Fellows create deep connections with their peers, focus on building spiritual and professional practices, and create tangible ways in which they can impact their place of work. Learn more about Fellow Julie Howard.

WHERE DID YOU GROW UP?

West Chester, Ohio

WHERE DO YOU LIVE NOW?

Indianapolis, Indiana

WHAT DO YOU DO/WHERE DO YOU WORK?

I’m a Career Navigator at Easterseals Crossroads.

IN A MOVIE ABOUT YOUR LIFE, WHO WOULD PLAY YOU AND WHAT WOULD THE MOVIE BE CALLED?

Rachel McAdams, Finding My True Self

WHAT’S YOUR GO-TO SNACK?

Crackers and cheese

WHAT BOOK/TV SHOW DO YOU RECOMMEND TO ANYONE WHO WILL LISTEN?

Caste by Isabel Wilkerson

WHAT‘S SOMETHING YOU DO FOR FUN?

For fun I like to visit with friends over a meal and a glass of wine.

HOW DID YOU HEAR ABOUT THE FELLOWSHIP EXPERIENCE WITH CCF?

The associate pastor at my church (Tabernacle Presbyterian) approached me about it.

I DECIDED TO DO THE CCF FELLOWSHIP BECAUSE...

I wanted to better understand how to be God’s Light in the workplace, and how work ties in to God’s plan for me.

CCF EXISTS TO HELP YOUNG PROFESSIONALS SEE HOW THEIR WORK MATTERS TO GOD AND HOW IT IS IMPORTANT TO HIS MISSION FOR THE WORLD. IS THIS SOMETHING YOUR FAMILY OR CHURCH TAUGHT YOU GROWING UP?

This is not something I was taught by anyone while growing up. Work was not talked about at all in the context of God’s mission, it was seen as a “necessary evil”. When I hear about how my work matters to God and is important for his mission, it gives me a sense of freedom. I don’t have to add in “mission work” in my life, I can do that right where he has me by doing good work and loving those I come in contact with.

IN YOUR CURRENT WORK, (WHETHER THAT BE WORKING FULL TIME/PART TIME, GOING TO SCHOOL, OR RAISING CHILDREN) HOW DO YOU SEE THE MISSION OF GOD AT WORK?

I easily see the mission of God at work everyday at my job. The overall goal of the program we are developing helps the marginalized, but my team is determined to make this program different from other employment and poverty reduction programs out there. We hope our participants feel valued, worthy, and loved with each interaction, which is often not the case at agencies who just need to check boxes or have such large case loads that they cannot truly see the person in front of them.

THE FELLOWSHIP CONSISTS OF READING ARTICLES, PARTICIPATING IN COHORT DISCUSSIONS, MONTHLY SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINES, ATTENDING SATURDAY FORUMS THAT FOCUS ON THE CITY OF INDIANAPOLIS, AND A COUPLE OF PROJECTS THAT WILL GROW YOU IN YOUR PROFESSIONAL AND PERSONAL LIFE. WHICH OF THESE ARE YOU MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO AND WHY?

I am most excited about the Saturday forums. I love learning about the city and it feels like the it's the piece of the puzzle that shows us the pain points in our city. Without knowing where the city has been, or even where it currently is, we cannot make the best decisions on what to do next to improve it.

BY THE END OF THE FELLOWSHIP, I HOPE TO HAVE…

By the end of the Fellowship, I hope to have developed deep relationships with the other Fellows and to have grown deeper in my relationship with God.