Today we’d like to introduce you to Colleen Kendall.
Hi Colleen, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I started my involvement in Special Needs Ministry over 20 years ago starting as a volunteer leader for Young Life Capernaum. At the same time, I was in the height of my career as a Speech Pathologist working with children 3-5 years old and their families. I eventually became the volunteer leader for Capernaum then becoming an employee and leading Capernaum and becoming the regional Capernaum representative. After 19 years, I decided to take a break from ministry. In the Fall of 2021 I started volunteering for Common Grounds as a leader. In December of 2021, I was contacted by Brad and Missy Parrott and asked to become the executive director of Common Grounds. It didn’t take much to accept the position. Today I am fully retired from my long career as a Speech Pathologist and working part time as the executive director of Common Grounds.
Common Grounds is a faith based social group for adults over 22 that are neurodivergent or have physical disabilities. It began out of necessity as folks over 22 were no longer able to attend Capernaum. Brad and Missy Parrott founded common Grounds and it is thriving. We currently have a registry of about 76 people and an average weekly attendance of 35-40. We have about 16 volunteer leaders that help with our weekly events.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The biggest struggle has been to attain and keep weekly volunteer leaders. It has been a struggle to recruit young volunteers that are in their 20’s to 30’s especially male volunteers. Volunteers are the key to the ministries success and having folks commit to weekly events has been very difficult.
The volunteers that we have are wonderful and have built fantastic relationships with the friends that attend.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I was a Speech Pathologist in the public school setting for over 39 years. I started working with children kindergarten through high school. After 10 years I changed directions and started working with children ages 3-5 and their families. It was very rewarding to help children learn to communicate. I was known for my ability to help families in a variety of developmental areas as well as bringing positive energy to our visits. I was able to think outside the box and always help in any way that I could.
Currently I am the executive director of Common Grounds. We are a faith based social group for adults over 22 that are neurodivergent of have physical disabilities. My responsibilities include recruiting volunteer leaders, coaching and mentoring leaders, communicating with leaders and parents, conducting trainings, talking with new parents and existing parents, supporting families, maintaining legal documents, organizing events, communicating with board members, maintaining all paperwork for a nonprofit, maintaining social media, organizing leaders and events for our weekly club, and creating technical computer ideas for the safety and ease of the weekly events.
So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
The most important thing for me is that each of the attendees know and understand that they were wonderfully and beautifully created by God. They all have a purpose in life and that God loves them just the way they are. They all deserve to hear the word of God at their level. It is important that they know and understand that each of them are loved by God and by all the volunteer leaders. They deserve a safe place to ask questions and hear about their individual gifts and talents.
Another item of importance is that the leaders also feel appreciated, loved and supported. I want them to know their special gifts and talents are what makes this ministry successful.
Pricing:
- Free to all
Contact Info:
- Website: Http;//www.commongroundslo@org
- Facebook: Common Grounds
- Other: locommongrounds@gmail.com
