Momentum

Momentum is “strength or force gained by motion or by a series of events” (m-w.com) and it certainly feels like we’ve got some of that going on these days with the addition of two great kinda new, kinda not-new staff members: Karsyn and Anara. Here’s an interview with both so you can get to know more about how they are helping in our goals in #movementoringforward

What are you doing with Faithful Friends, and for how long?

Karsyn: In 2021, I became Faithful Friends' first intern, as I fulfilled my degree in Child, Youth, and Family Studies at Portland State University. Almost exactly a year later, I am back at Faithful Friends filling in for Cia, one of the program coordinators, as she welcomes her new baby girl. I am so glad that I get the opportunity to be back at Faithful Friends for a while!

Anara: I am the Administrative Assistant and have been in this role since mid-October. I came back on board right before the Bowl-A-Thon fundraiser.

How is it different from what you were doing previously as an intern?

Karsyn: When I was an intern, I had the opportunity to see and assist with all sides of Faithful Friends, such as the development side, social media, and help out with the program team. I was able to have a variety of experiences in order to challenge myself and learn the most that I could. However, my heart has always been for working directly with families and children, which makes it so fun that I am back doing just that with the program team. I now have some more responsibilities and opportunities to create relationships with churches, mentors, families, and children involved in our amazing organization.

Anara: During my internship, I primarily worked with the program side rather than the administration. During the summer, I worked on data collection, digitizing and cleaning up files, and helping with Oaks Park, and I was learning the match-making process. I was also helping to get some in-kind donations for the Bowl-A-Thon.

Now I am a part of the administration team where I am emailing donor thank you letters, working on mailing lists, and any other support needed. In my internship, I was trying to see and learn everything I could about how a nonprofit operated, which meant I was all over the place. This time, I have a more defined role, and while this is still educational, it is not the primary focus.

Why did you return as paid staff, even if only for a short-term status?

Karsyn: Faithful Friends is such an incredible organization that is doing work that is so needed in our community. Being a part of what they're doing, even if only for a short while, is such a privilege and I'm honored to be back with such a welcoming and compassionate team of people.

Anara: I enjoyed working with Faithful Friends during my internship and was happy to return as a staff member. I enjoy the educational and supportive environment where I can ask questions and learn new things. I returned because this organization is helping young children in the local community, which I feel called to be a part of in some way.

What’s the craziest thing you’ve done?

Karsyn: Hmmm… as far as the craziest thing I've ever done, it would have to be skydiving! My 20th birthday was coming up and my mom told me to leave the day open because she had a surprise for me. I told her "I'll do anything but go skydiving!" I'm not sure why I said that, other than the fact that I don't love heights.

On the morning of my birthday she handed me a certificate to go skydiving! She told me it was non-refundable and she had already purchased it when I said I didn't want to go...oops! I waited until my now-husband got back in town and we decided to jump out of the plane together! That was probably the only circumstances that would have caused me to jump out of a perfectly good plane and I definitely don't need to do it again!

Karsyn with the pro skydiver

Anara: I can’t thing of anything too crazy [but] one of my favorite shows happens to be Dateline and I like other true crime/procedural related shows and documentaries.

(@valentinsalja provides an image, on right, that looks a lot like an element to the kind of true-crime story that Anara would be engrossed in)

It has been a much-needed blessing to have both Anara and Karsyn on staff, even if only temporarily, as our momentum continues to head in the right direction, ultimately helping us recruit more mentors and match more kids.