Resident Spotlight: Kendra’s Story
Kendra has been a resident at Act Five since May 2024. She writes about her experience as a summer tenant, who is now part of the Residency Program.
The middle of spring found me at the side door of Blake Street, ferrying my boxes, plants, books, and suitcases through winding hallways to a new room in a large house.
It was early April, and I was looking for a place to rent in Hamilton – not an easy feat. Newly graduated from Redeemer University and looking towards future graduate studies, I had only a handful of loose plans for this year in-between. As I searched, 75 Blake St. surfaced as a good option. My best friend had already signed a renter’s agreement, and I had the opportunity to live with great people in a city I love. Act Five was a familiar name for me. I had known many people who have lived or worked with the organization, but I had never taken the time to look deeper. I spent my first four months at Blake St. working and exploring in the communities here, and it allowed me to listen more and discover Act Five for myself.
As the summer months rolled by, 75 Blake St. became a revolving door of old and new faces. As time passed, I began to fall in step with the rhythms that are embedded here. Morning prayer was a space to explore liturgy and stillness in new ways. I learned prayers by heart and began each day with the same words to God. Sitting on the porch sparked so many conversations, with strangers and housemates alike. I was introduced to our neighbours at Micah House and with L’Arche on Wednesday nights. I ate spaghetti in the backyard. We got to meet with active and faithful leaders in the community, and begin to look deeper at the scriptures. As the summer drew to a close, I prepared to say goodbye to what I thought was a brief stay in the Blakeley neighbourhood.
When the Residency Program was first mentioned to me, I was excited. Though, I had a few reservations, and I wondered how I might fit into it. I had just come from four years of living in community. Did I want to jump into more? I came from spaces where I already had the opportunity to walk alongside high school graduates. This had been a beautiful and meaningful experience, but one that stretched me in ways as well. Part of me had definitely been looking forward to having my own space, with only my dishes in the sink.
In my mind, Act Five was a gap year for high school graduates. How exactly could I fit into this? For the first time, I actually scrolled through the Act Five website and looked closely at the programs they offer. The vision statement as written on the website says “Within our Gap Year program, students will: reflect on their story and grow deeper in their faith, imagine the world around them with fresh eyes, practice justice in loving their neighbours, and prepare for what lies ahead”. When I thought about it, these are all things that I wanted for myself. Things that are valuable at any stage of life – if I lean in.
September ushered in a new season and a new semester. Residents reshuffled and new folks moved in. We ran up and down the flights of stairs moving beds, mattresses, lamps, and pillows and prepared for the gap year students to move in. One of my favourite parts of this fall has been the momentum and laughter that the students bring to the house. Each day there are new stories, new wonderings, and new games in every room. Being able to welcome new people into the rhythms and relationships that structure Act Five – and have shaped me, over the past many months has made me consider these things in new ways.
Since being asked to share thoughts about this semester, a phrase that has come to my mind is “joyful work”. Some of my initial hesitations about the Residency Program came true. There are lots of dishes in the sink (many mine). There is noise, and busyness, and a pace of life that takes energy to live into. The piece I couldn’t fully see in August though, is the flip side. The house is filled with care, space for big questions, and the excitement for the future.