Team Spotlight
Marking Global Volunteer Month
Every month, we hear and share inspiring stories of our Renewal locations giving back to their communities. For April, in recognition of Global Volunteer Month, we want to highlight individuals from across the network who are volunteering their own time to causes that are important to them.
Kelsy Martin - Sr. HR Business Partner - Cottage Grove, MN
"Currently, I serve as the VP on the board of directors for University of Minnesota's Carlson School of Management’s HR & Labor Studies Alumni Association, and participate in the sub-committee focused on mentoring current students in the HR and Industrial Relations Master’s program. I choose to volunteer my time to this board and mentoring current students because I am so grateful to have had similar opportunities when I was a student in the program. So many people have poured into my cup throughout my schooling and career and I'm so thankful for those people!
"I wanted to be able to provide the same experiences to current students in the program by serving as a mentor to assist them in navigating coursework to support their career aspirations, providing them opportunities to connect with alumni to help them grow professionally, and being a pillar of support to lean on as they begin their HR careers. It has been such a rewarding experience watching mentees over the years lean into their professional careers with confidence and immense ability to succeed. This is why I volunteer."
Sven Johnson- Marketing Manager - RbA of Maine
Sven is a Cub Scouts Den Leader in Pack 311. He and his sons love participating in the Pinewood Derby.
"I volunteered to be a Den Leader for the Cub Scouts because both of my boys are autistic. Part of the challenge with their development is creating 'social interactions' with other kids. What better way to be involved and socially active with other kids than the Cub Scouts?"
Jennifer Leach- Assistant Service Coordinator - RbA of WY, MT, SD
"I have the great pleasure of volunteering in a wonderful ministry called Celebrate Recovery. I have been involved in some way since 2015. Here in Casper, Wyoming it is held EVERY Friday night with them serving dinner for free as well. Most recently I volunteer in Children's Place and help in the elementary children's area. There's also a nursery and teens area. This really is a ministry for the whole family.
"Although originally created as a God-centered, 12-step ministry to specifically help those who struggle with chemical dependency and codependency, it has turned into a ministry that serves anyone with a habit, hurt or hang-up that keeps them from having a full relationship with God. Now only about 1/3 of attendees are those with chemical dependency issues, other issues range from depression, anxiety, eating disorders, loss of family and so many more. There are now 35,000 Celebrate Recovery churches worldwide! They have ministries that also work with local rescue missions and prisons.
"I love being able to volunteer with Celebrate Recovery, the joy is simply unexplainable. I have been there to celebrate with people with one day to 30 some-odd years of recovery from their habit, hurt or hang-up. The change that it brings to the people and their entire family is just amazing to be a part of. The best part is it's just a big extended family where everyone helps each other through difficulties in life. We affectionately call each other 'forever family.'"
"I have a lot of interests, including...
• Regular blood donor for the Community Blood Center. Part of the Gallon Club, woo!
• I complete “thank you” cards for new donors of the Community Blood Center
• Member of Be The Match as a bone marrow donor
• I volunteer as a Crisis Counselor for Crisis Text Line
• I’ve done work with Veronica’s Voice, a local organization helping victims of trafficking
• Volunteer at Harvester’s, an organization that provides food for those in need
• Recently joined Doobert as a transport volunteer for rescue animals being sent to their new homes
"The Community Blood Center and Be The Match are to honor my niece, who is in remission from leukemia and Crisis Text Line to honor close people I’ve lost to suicide. Veronica’s Voice because Kansas City is a hub for human trafficking. Harvester’s because I grew up in poverty. Doobert because I LOVE animals!!"
Get Inspired With Matt: Episode 9
Time flies when you're having fun!
It's been more than a year since TV personality and home improvement expert Matt Muenster remodeled his historic mid-centruy rambler. We check in with him to see how everything turned out.
Want to watch the whole series? Check it out at GetInspiredWithMatt.com!
