Meet Amanda Grant-Rose of Common Cathedral in Downtown Boston

Today we’d like to introduce you to Amanda Grant-Rose.

Amanda, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I have always wanted to see people – see the best in those around me. As a child of a social worker and pastor, I have come to this honestly. My youngest memories are in pews and food kitchens. That passion has sent me around the world — witnessing the best in humanity.

I was working in East Africa when my husband and I were expecting our first child. All of a sudden I felt a need to continue to do good work but do it in a place where I would raise my daughter near family.

In 2014 I found common cathedral. The mission of common cathedral is to build community with and provide spiritual care to unhoused individuals in Boston. We seek to bridge the gap between housed and unhoused people.

Common cathedral was looking for an Executive Director. During the hiring process, I discovered it would be a great place to work. I met with some of the Board of Directors. I met the common cathedral community,

Most of the questions were typical: “What were you doing before”? “Where did you go to school?” “What brings you here?” but then a gentleman in old worn out clothes with long scraggly hair asked “I don’t look like you and I have not had a shower in days. I fight for everything I have and most people walk by me. Why help lead us?”

I knew then that I wanted to spend my days with people who could be this honest, this real the common community believes in seeing the best in people but not necessarily during a person’s best of times. Those of us who live on the streets, who struggle with addiction or mental illness see the best of each other in the not so best of times. I am grateful to spend my days in this beloved community.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
None of us at common cathedral have arrived via a typical journey along a straight line. I am an educator and social worker. I received a degree from the University of Arizona. I taught special needs kids in Tucson. I moved to Philadelphia to earn a Master in Social Work.

The path twisted. I moved to the Usambara Mountains in Tanzania. In a new university department in a new university, I created a program to teach special education teachers. My everyday language shifted from English to Swahili.

I flew out of Kilimanjaro airport to return to Boston and Harvard University. A Master of Education in International Education Policy was followed by several years as Program Director of Lift Up Africa.

It has been a very curvy road. My jobs have not only jumped states and continents but also sectors.

Knowing that I always have wanted to see the best in people has taken different versions but it has led to a deep understanding that we are all so different but worthy of respect and love.

So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Common Cathedral story. Tell us more about the business.
Through a range of programs, common cathedral empowers, nurtures and celebrates people often ignored or rejected by society.

We were established as an outdoor congregation in 1994. We are faith-based, inspired by Jesus’ example of love and compassion. We work for a world where every human being is valued. We welcome and support all people.

During the week housed and unhoused persons are welcomed to the following programs:
1. Sunday Worship – a weekly outdoor worship service on the Boston Common.
2. “Common art” – a weekly arts program offering an outlet for creativity and artistic expression.
3. BostonWarm – a day center providing a range of services to our community, including basic material needs, help with housing and medical referrals.
4. Chaplaincy – our minister’s offer a human connection to lonely persons in need at McInnis House and at Kirkpatrick House, both of which are respite care facilitates affiliated with Boston Healthcare for the Homeless.
5. Several times each year we offer CityReach – engaging nearly 500 young people from greater Boston, who learn about homelessness from our community members.

We are safe space for those who are un-housed and those who walk with the un-housed.

Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I am not one to get hung up on luck. I am focused on “blessings”.

When one starts with a God-centered life becomes a great discovery. What is the blessing in the person who sits across from me on the T? Or, in the person I have not met? Or in the next generation who will inherit what we build today.

In my business, what does luck have to do with it? It is a secondary emotion. What is primary is the unfolding of the mystery of God’s presence even when we sleep on the streets of Boston.

Pricing:

• At common cathedral our services are free.

Contact Info:

• Address: 15 Newbury Street, Boston MA 02116
• Website: www.commoncathedral.org
• Email: amanda@commoncathedral.org
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Ecclesia-Ministries-common-cathedral-58314329998/

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