“When I see men cry and women stand up and say they are powerful, I know I’m in a place where the Spirit is at work.” Tom Esch, Executive Director

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On a sunny November afternoon at Dunwoody Institute eight men and women from the margins of society stepped up as leaders to mentor 16 field sales managers from Lifetouch Corporation, the world’s largest employee owned photo company. The leader-mentors were from Alliance and Central Avenue supportive housing. The business people were from all over the US—all in Minneapolis for the last leg of a leadership training program through the local company, Prouty Project. This program was the first time most of the leaders from the margins—plus me and our Executive Director, Tom Esch, who are still new in our jobs—had done the unique City House leader-mentor program. We were all a little nervous about the half-day event ahead.
There was no reason to worry.

The leader-mentors shined as they shared their personal stories—stories that included addiction and recovery, crime and imprisonment, poverty and homelessness—with their corporate “learners.” They listened deeply, too, when their partners from the business world told their stories. Heart-centered connections were made between people who would normally never be in a room together, let alone share what was deep and personal in their lives. You could see and feel the camaraderie, openness, and joy in the group by the end of the day. Many had discovered that beneath the socioeconomic gap that separated them, there was also a profound humanity that connected them.

Reflecting on the experience, Tom Esch, said, “When I see men cry and women stand up and say they are powerful, I know I’m in a place where the Spirit is at work.” I agree, and it makes me hope we can all roll up our sleeves and do it again.