Experience

FORGE Youth Mentoring

• United States
• Individual and Family Services
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Founder, Executive Director

  • Sep 2018 - Present

  Shaping the future by reconnecting generations through one-to-one community based mentoring experiences. We work in partnership with the Church and community agencies to positively impact young people - helping them build identity, self-worth, social and life-skills, value of education, career planning and job readiness, and helping them discover their God-given potential. Shaping the future by reconnecting generations through one-to-one community based mentoring experiences. We work in partnership with the Church and community agencies to positively impact young people - helping them build identity, self-worth, social and life-skills, value of education, career planning and job readiness, and helping them discover their God-given potential.



Mentoring Works Washington

• United States
• Investment Management

• Speakers Bureau/Trainer/Consultant

  • Mar 2016 - Present

  Offering training, consulting and support to strengthen youth mentoring programs and organizations. Offering training, consulting and support to strengthen youth mentoring programs and organizations.



Christian Association of Youth Mentoring

• United States
• Religious Institutions
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Executive Director

  • May 2017 - Sep 2018

  Changing the nation, one community at time - as we equip churches, organizations, and individuals with the tools and strategies to build and sustain local mentoring programs. The Christian Association of Youth Mentoring (CAYM) has trained over 500 churches and numerous other agencies and individuals on how to effectively start their own mentoring program, specific to the needs of their own community. The results have been amazing as thousands of kids around our country have found caring and faithful mentors to guide them through the challenges of life. We are proudly recognized as the ONLY organization in the country who is providing the service of program startup training. Collaboration with MENTOR, Youth For Christ, Promise Keepers Canada, Summit Ministries and so many more - demonstrate our expertise and quality of tools. Find out more at www.caym.org. My Role: Leading day-to-day operations, Fundraising development and oversight, Board Development, Branding/Marketing/Communications, Vision Projects development and oversight. I'm personally based in the Tri-Cities, WA, with team members in Boston, MA, and our main office located in Witchita, KS.



Independent Consultant

• United States
• Technology, Information and Internet
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Youth Cultural Realities and Community Collaborations

  • Jul 2015 - Jan 2018

  What are the actual problems in our society, today? It's vital to step back to recognize what really is going on in the minds of our youth, what are their struggles and needs, and how do we as an adult community offer tools of empowerment vs. continued enablement? It is time to stop throwing money at the problem and offering services to older teens, alone. We must reach youth at a younger age and be dedicated to making tough decisions which lead to well informed changes. From community forums and town hall meetings, to the forming of alliances and non-profit organizations, as well as the marketing and ongoing improvement of our programming -- we must step back and reexamine the strategies that have taken us to a place that we are not satisfied with. Everyone in the community can and must play a role in creating safe neighborhoods and a successful society for years to come!



COMMUNITIES IN SCHOOLS OF BENTON-FRANKLIN

• United States
• Philanthropic Fundraising Services
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Site Coordinator, Richland

  • Sep 2015 - Jun 2017

  Connecting students to services and support that meets their needs, leading to greater success in school and life. If your company or agency would like to help students in our schools with various needs and career guidance opportunities - give me a call or shoot me an email. Connecting students to services and support that meets their needs, leading to greater success in school and life. If your company or agency would like to help students in our schools with various needs and career guidance opportunities - give me a call or shoot me an email.



Ignite Youth Mentoring

• United States

• Founding Executive Director, IYM

  • Feb 2008 - Jun 2015

  Matching caring adults with kids in need of encouraging adult influence. Partnering schools, city and community agencies with the faith community in order to strengthen the bond between generations and equip young people with life skills. Ignite Youth Mentoring (IYM) has built a powerful program and organization that has drawn significant acclaim locally (United Way, 3RCF), regionally (Murdock Foundation, Washington State Mentors), and nationally (CAYM Program of the Year 2008, modeled and emulated), in its short history - demonstrating our impact and longterm strategy. 2008-2010 After the first two years building a foundation for IYM with volunteers, a small number of matches and preparation began for the next stages. 2011-2013 IYM is launched as a stand-alone 501c3 and builds itself into a significant community player, recognized by area leaders and agencies for meeting the most vital needs of youth. Funding sources include The United Way, Three Rivers Community Foundation, and Women Helping Women Fund Tri-Cities. As well as area churches and many individuals. Partnerships include all area schools, more than 60 referral agencies, and 40 churches. 2014- IYM is being used as a national model as the "poster child" for program startup, and the stand out for amazing growth and deep community collaborations. Starting the year at 90 current mentor matches e are on our way to the goal of 200 matches by 2015. IYM is working with the national organization CAYM to expand our services regionally and potentially throughout our country. We have acquired top level board members to carry out marketing strategy, prepare for additional staff, strengthen our fundraising strategy, and growth. Executive Director Todd Kleppin has spoken on youth culture issues and "Reconnecting the Generations" to more than 13,000 people (at service clubs, companies, churches, etc.), inspiring adults and youth to consider their need for mentoring in their lives.



Central United Protestant Church

• Pastor of Student Ministries

  • Nov 2001 - Dec 2010

  Developed and managed programming for 6th-12th grade students. Recruited, trained, and supervised volunteers. Led discussions on various life and faith topics (taught classes, preached to congregation, participated in various public speaking roles). Worked in partnership with City of Richland and the Parks and Recreation Department to create the Jeanette Taylor Skatepark, a $1 million project. Developed and staffed The Lounge Youth Center, CST Skate Team, Planet 56 (a new program to better meet needs of 5th and 6th grade students and preparing them for middle school life), Crossroads service to help unchurched safely examine faith. Designed Leadership NEXT to train high school and college athletes in leading their teams with understandings of character, teachability, commitment to team, and becoming on field coaches. Created Ignite Youth Mentoring in spare time, leading to its non-profit 501c3 launch in 2011.



First Baptist Church of Prineville, Oregon

• Youth Pastor

  • Sep 1996 - Oct 2001

  Developed and managed programming for 6th-12th grade students. Recruited, trained, and supervised volunteers. Led discussions on various life and faith topics (taught classes, preached to congregation, participated in various public speaking roles). Coached Varsity Soccer at Crook County High School (2000, 2001 - 4A). Developed and managed programming for 6th-12th grade students. Recruited, trained, and supervised volunteers. Led discussions on various life and faith topics (taught classes, preached to congregation, participated in various public speaking roles). Coached Varsity Soccer at Crook County High School (2000, 2001 - 4A).