What's going on everybody, it is great to be here! My name is Justin Mambro and I am 22 years old, coming at you from the great state of Massachusetts, home of the world champion Boston Bruins and title - town USA.  As you probably can tell I am an avid Boston sports fan and I am the outcast here amongst all the Philly fans here at the Saint Francis Inn, but I embrace it.  Really I am a small town kid at heart.  I am from Hanover, MA, a small town, south of Boston, so Philadelphia is a big change for me.  I attended Saint Anselm College, home of the hawks, where I graduated in 2011 with a degree in History and met some amazing people.  Saint Anselm challenged me to not only be a good student but also pushed me to be the best person that I could be and I will always bleed blue!  (Metaphorically of course) My family is a very important part of my life and I would not be the person I am today without their love and support.  I am the younger middle child of 4, so growing up in my house was an experience but I would not have wanted it any other way!  My mom and dad are two of the best people that I know and I cannot thank them enough for all they have done for me; and for supporting me with my decision to do this year of service in Philadelphia with FVM.

Why FVM is a question that I have been thinking about for awhile but actually it is a simple answer, it's the best program out there!  I get to interact and have fun with people at the Saint Francis Inn everyday, what is better than that.  FVM is a program that embraces community, not only just the people who you live with but also the people we are serving.  I live amongst the people I serve and I would not want it any other way.  Graduating from college brings a lot of unknown but something I do know, I have my whole life to work, and serving, I feel, is truly what God is calling me to do at this point in my life.  There is power in God's word, but there is also power in how we respond to God's word and my year with FVM is my way of giving back.  The opportunity to work and listen to people who have amazing stories to tell and have qualities that are hidden behind their struggles is something that not many people give their time to do and I am so willing to get beyond my comfort zone to let others do the same.  One hope of mine in my year of service is gaining a better appreciation for what I have to offer as a person and to see truly what my limits are.  A year of service is a huge commitment and sacrifice to make but I feel for one of the first times in my life I am actually doing something for myself.