Harvey Miles is a Training Coordinator at GreenForce Inc, a not-for-profit workforce development agency that serves both employers and job seekers. Their mission is to recruit, train and sustain employees for manufacturers from underserved communities. GreenForce develops effective training and onboarding for new hires, while sustaining employees through wraparound service with a social worker accessible during work hours.
Who is Harvey Miles?
Harvey Miles, Jr. is community minded U.S. Marine veteran, father, grandfather, educator, and ordained minister, who strives to be a faithful servant in all aspects of his life.
Wired to serve, serve to lead!
Why is it so important for you to give back to the community the way you do?
As a Christian, giving back to the community is deeply rooted in the teachings of Jesus Christ, who emphasized love, compassion, and service to others. The Bible encourages believers to love their neighbors as themselves (Matthew 22:39) and to serve others selflessly, following Christ’s example of humility and sacrificial love.
For Christians, giving back can take many forms—whether through acts of kindness, volunteering, sharing resources, or offering support to those in need. It’s a way to live out the faith and demonstrate the love of Christ, not only within the faith community but also in the wider world. Jesus taught that when we help those in need, we are ultimately serving Him (Matthew 25:40).
By giving back, Christians seek to reflect God’s love and grace, be a blessing to others, and participate in the larger mission of bringing hope and healing to a broken world. It’s not just about charity; it’s about building relationships, spreading joy, and working together to create a more just and loving society.
Who shaped your view on community service?
I was blessed to have several role models in my family such as my father and notable my uncle Cleveland Myles who was the owner of the “Colored Store” that was featured in the movie Lackawanna Blues.
Outside of my family, the late Fater Leo McCarthy, my K-8 school priest who was also a sports coach had a profound impact on shaping my view of community service by combining the principles of faith, leadership, and teamwork in a unique and effective way. He was a white man who demonstrated Godly love to all in a black underserved community. This experience helped me understand that community service is an expression of faith, a way to build stronger relationships, and a means of contributing to the well-being of others, all while growing spiritually. His influence shaped my understanding of service as something integral to both your faith and your role in society.
What do you do as far as self-care so that you don’t burn out?
Time alone and physical activity are my go too for self-care.
What’s next for Harvey Miles?
Yet while I am “young” I am structuring my “active retirement”. I want to be able to mentor others to help them be fruitful. Remember a tree doesn’t produce fruit for itself but to benefit others.