This month we are spotlighting our Outreach Coordinator, Kristen Minichello. Kristen joined The Children’s Center in 2017. She is responsible for The Center’s communication pieces. She writes grants and also coordinates registration, sponsor recognition, and marketing for our fundraising events. Kristen launched the Pinwheel Garden initiative and has coordinated the Pinwheel Walk for the last two years. This year, she has partnered with Amy Kerr, our Forensic Interviewer, to coordinate team-building, training, and a quarterly newsletter for our Multi-Disciplinary Team.
We asked Kristen to share a little more about herself so that we could all get to know her a little better.
Roles and Responsibilities
How did you learn about The Children’s Center of Medina County? Why did you decide to join the staff?
I saw a post about a donation drive MOMS Club was doing for The Children’s Center and decided to find out more about The Center. I had been thinking about going back to work after staying home with my two kids, getting a master’s degree in Public Administration and Nonprofit Management and volunteering on the Executive Committee for the PTA and as Service Unit Director and Troop Leader with Girl Scouts. I saw that The Children’s Center had a part-time position open and decided to apply to get back into the field and learn more about our new community. (We moved to Medina a year and a half prior.) After a few rounds of interviews, I was offered the job.
I was really intrigued by the collaborative model used in the Child Advocacy Center and that the model was based on best practices and accredited through the National Children’s Alliance.
What is your current role? What do you do in that role?
I am the Outreach and Development Coordinator at The Children’s Center. I manage Social Media, newsletters, website updates, printed brochures, and fliers. I put together our annual Impact Report.
On the Development side, I work with Anna on our fundraisers creating the website and printed materials for the events. I also manage registration and checkout for our events. I write some of our grants and oversee the donor database (shout out to Pam Flora who does the gift entry and acknowledgments!)
I have primary responsibility for our Child Abuse Prevention Month activities – Wear Blue Day, Pinwheel Gardens, and the Pinwheel Walk.
What are you most proud of in your work with The Children’s Center?
All the collaborative work we do to bring people together to support children and families.
Personal Insights and Reflection
What is the best advice you were ever given? Who was it from?
My sister had a saying on her wall that said, “The glass is refillable.” It doesn’t really matter if the glass is half full or half empty. Since it can be refilled, there is always hope and potential. Believe in possibilities and growth. It also reminds me that we don’t need to be in fierce competition with each other. There is enough to go around.
When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I wanted to be someone who helped make my community a better place. I participated in and helped organize many service activities and mission trips. As a young adult, I was interested in research on social issues, public policy, or nonprofit/urban development/international development.
What is your favorite way to unwind after a busy day?
In reality. . . probably scrolling through social media and on my better days, taking a walk, reading, or hanging out with my family.
What is your most used emoji?
My most used emoji is the celebrate emoji 🎉. It’s perfect for so many things – celebrating a special day, an accomplishment, or other good news.
Community Engagement and Support
What does the community need to know about The Children’s Center?
The community needs to know that the best way to help children and families who have experienced maltreatment is through collaboration. It takes a lot of people to fully address their needs and it extends beyond the walls of our building. There are a lot of people, including our professional partners, community supporters, volunteers, and donors who help make sure the work in our building gets done. The whole community is needed to create a safe, supportive environment for children and families.
