What is YOUR WHY?
“Where your talents and the needs of the world cross, there lies your vocation.” (Aristotle)
The only thing I can say is that God has planted this Mission in my heart. Having experienced being in the grip of addiction and also having experienced the life-changing journey of recovery, I am blessed to walk alongside others and share my experience, strength and hope. There is pain in the world, and if God has blessed me with me some gifts and experiences that can be a part of helping alleviate that pain, it is joy to be standing in that intersection.
What’s something that blesses you (or you enjoy) as you interact with clients and the community at WRM?
One thing I love about ministry is the way it blesses not just the one who is served, but the one who serves. This happens for me all of the time here at the Mission. When I share with the men and women, when we break bread together, or just walk alongside one another, my spirit is lifted, they share a word that brings things back into focus, they love me as I love them. What a gift!
Tell us something interesting or extraordinary about you?
I love to travel! Love seeing God’s big, diverse world! I’ve been to 20 countries and 2 US territories and it has changed who I am as a person.
I’m an alcoholic – in recovery for 18 years. Maybe not extraordinary, but important for my work here.
What is YOUR WHY?
After working for two private “for-profit” organizations for over 30 years, I was and am grateful for the opportunity to take what I have learned and apply my strengths and experience to help advance the mission and vision of the Westminster Rescue Mission. It has been my dream to not just serve a non-profit, but one that matched my beliefs, values and of course based on where God lead me. The work that is done at the Mission is critically important to our community – which is also my community where I have lived for 32 years. I feel incredibly blessed to be a part of the Mission where a difference is made in people’s lives every day.
What’s something that blesses you (or you enjoy) as you interact with clients and the community at WRM?
It blesses me when we come together as a team, develop innovative solutions and make them happen – by creating efficiencies, communicating clearly and providing tools so that our staff can focus more on our core mission… helping men and women in recovery, feeding the community and providing other resources through our Mission Marketplace store.
What is YOUR WHY?
Sharing the goodness of the message of the gospel. Being able to impart that message through kindness and consistent interaction.
What’s something that blesses you (or you enjoy) as you interact with clients and the community at WRM?
It blesses me to meet people where they are and to get to know them and their stories. I am energized by seeing the persistent love of Christ play a role in transforming people.
Tell us something interesting or extraordinary about you?
Can rap the gospel.
Have a unique laugh.
What is YOUR WHY?
I love working at the Mission because I feel blessed to be able to make a difference in peoples lives.
The Mission allows me to express my faith freely and gives me a sense of work and spiritual fulfillment, something that makes the Mission a unique work place.
What’s something that blesses you (or you enjoy) as you interact with clients and the community at WRM?
Making a difference their lives both physically, spiritually and emotionally.
Tell us something interesting or extraordinary about you?
I am an immigrant from Kenya and I can fluently speak 3 languages ( English, Swahili, and a native language-Luhya.
What is YOUR WHY?
It is my personal mission to work with individuals with human service needs and to improve their life outcomes related to their mental, social, health or spiritual needs.
I have dedicated my career to the service of those most in need in our community. The Mission allows me the opportunity to continue this life’s work.
What’s something that blesses you (or you enjoy) as you interact with clients and the community at WRM?
Blessings are everyday feedback of gratitude from clients and staff.
Tell us something interesting or extraordinary about you?
I was first place in my archery class in high school.
Who is someone in your life that helped you experience (or helped you through) healing and/or transformation? How did that impact you? How are you using this to give back to others?
I loved my grandfather very much, and before he passed away, he told me how important Christianity was to him. He told me that faith was essential to his treatment and healing at the end of his life. At the time, I did not realize the significance. The more time I spend at the Mission, I continue to learn and understand the importance of Christianity in the healing process. People who come to The Mission for addiction treatment receive Christian-based care, which appears to impact their recovery.
Favorite or guiding quote ( or words that you love)?
I love this poem, and it speaks about compassion and kindness by Jane Goodall, “Only if we understand, can we care. Only if we care we will help. Only if we help, we shall be saved.”
Tell us something interesting or extraordinary about you?
I enlisted in the Air Force in 2000 and worked in the financial management and comptroller career field for 20 years. I deployed as a financial management technician to support counter-terrorism operations during the Global War on Terror after 9/11. I served in the Maryland Air National Guard before retiring in 2021.
What is YOUR WHY?
Help introduce others to the same God of grace
What’s something that blesses you (or you enjoy) as you interact with clients and the community at WRM?
Watching men meet God, find sobriety and restore relationships
Tell us something interesting or extraordinary about you?
I am an avid Philly sports fan and Star Wars nerd
What is YOUR WHY?
I love identifying strengths in others they may not see in themselves. Then once they are revealed, applying those unique talents into employment opportunities. A person can choose to give themselves a second chance but life is sometimes not as kind. Overcoming obstacles to obtain live sustaining employment is a necessity for many people on the road to a second chance.
What’s something that blesses you (or you enjoy) as you interact with clients and the community at WRM?
I enjoy seeing them experience people telling the clients they are valuable. The reaction of the clients to be in an atmosphere of encouragement is really amazing when they accept it.
Tell us something interesting or extraordinary about you?
I will try just about anything once just to convince myself I don’t ever want to do it again.
I have worked in serving others for all my adult life. From working in group fitness, owning a gym, working in a Thrift Store with programs for the community and homeless, and now here at the Westminster Rescue Mission. I am 90% extrovert!
What is YOUR WHY?
I enjoy working at WRM because of all of the people we are able to serve. Whether that is through the Mission Food Program or the Addiction Healing Center, being able to have an impact on someone’s life is one of the greatest feelings there is.
What’s something that blesses you (or you enjoy) as you interact with clients and the community at WRM?
Being able to see the changes that occur in someone who puts in the work to change themselves.
Tell us something interesting or extraordinary about you?
I am a huge Ravens, Terps, and O’s fan
What is YOUR WHY?
I love that we reach out to our local community to meet their needs in so many different ways – practical, physical, spiritual, home life, counseling, professional development, continuing care and more. We see and help to heal and transform the whole person.
What’s something that blesses you (or you enjoy) as you interact with clients and the community at WRM?
I love seeing how excited they are as they walk a renewed life. Even knowing there will be challenges ahead they have a hope for how they will now go along their journey.
Tell us something interesting or extraordinary about you?
Study American Sign Language… working on becoming and interpreter
What is Your Why?
In the eternal words of Gandhi: “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.”
What’s something that blesses you (or you enjoy) as you interact with clients and the community at WRM?
I feel very lucky to be apart of of the WRM. It is an amazing organization that doesn’t just talk the talk they walk the walk. The feeling I get when I’m handing out food to someone knowing I just made their day is an indescribable feeling.
Tell us something interesting or extraordinary about you?
I was a pastry chef at Walt Disney World in Florida.
Favorite or guiding quote (or words that you love)?
You will face many defeats in life, but never let yourself be defeated. ~Maya Angelou
