Mission Intern & Formation Manager

“I don’t want to brag or anything, but I definitely won best meal last year on my family vacation – grilled pizza!”

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<summary>About</summary>

<p>Samantha has worked at the food center for over 8 years. As the founder of the Mission House, she embraces every opportunity to be with people, except when she escapes to enjoy hiking solo, reading a book, or making art.</p>

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Volunteer and Training Associate

“There is something magical about food. A great meal can stir immense joy and every step of the way you get to connect with others from growing food, to gathering food, preparing food, and eating food.”

<details><summary>About</summary><p>Travis has worked and lived in Milwaukee since 2011 and has grown to love this city more and more. He firmly believes that he has one life to give and wants to give it fully to God and his neighbors. He’s very thankful to be working at Kinship and is excited to spend more time with our community. In his free time, he loves hosting parties, playing games, and having good conversations!</p></details>

Senior Development Associate

“Since food is a huge part of Asian culture, a common greeting is “Have you eaten rice today?” As a foreigner, bonding over food was the easiest way into the community.”

<details><summary>About</summary><p>Susan was intrigued by our ideals of a Community of Generosity but was amazed to see that these core values applied to our everyday life. Prior to joining our team, Susan spent 3 years in Asia teaching English, and several years after that working in corporate. Realizing that she enjoyed grant writing as a volunteer, she made the move to work fulltime in the social sector.</p></details>

Senior Culinary Associate

“I learned how to love people through cooking food, my whole family is full of great cooks and food lovers!”

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<summary>About</summary>

<p>Natalie began as a volunteer in August 2021 after her job closed to COVID-19. She quickly became attached to the food center’s community and mission and was hired on through Americorps VISTA. In her free time, she loves cooking, hanging out in the Riverwest neighborhood, practicing yoga, and spending time with her feline companion, Dmitri.</p>

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Human Services Manager

“‘Food makes me happy!’ - This quote from my son has inspired me to realize that food is the starting point for deeper relationships with the people we care about.”

<details><summary>About</summary><p>Nancy Rodriguez has been committed to working alongside individuals for over 30 years, advocating and empowering them to find strength in their own voices. She joined the food center in 2021 as the leader of the team that helps our community members build their capacity for resilience. </p></details>

Human Services Associate

“My child, in peak toddler fashion, cracked about 7 eggs on the floor. I watched her crack the last egg and she was pretty good at it. Since then, she has channeled her gifts and makes great scrambled eggs!”<details>

<summary>About</summary>

<p>Launa has grown up in the Harambee neighborhood for most of her life. After attending UW-Madison for social work, she spent a year of service working with rehousing and outreach programs. She has been part of the Kinship community for several years coming to shop and volunteer. Launa is excited to be part of a place that focuses on building relationships with people in the community.</p>

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Human Services Specialist

“At age 10, my mom would send me to the grocery store on the city bus, alone, to purchase food with what was called food stamps back then. Being trusted to shop for my family was an honor that I took seriously.”

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<summary>About</summary>

<p>William Olivier was born and raised in the Harambee neighborhood of Milwaukee, WI and has spent his life dedicated to serving others. He has 25 years of experience in the human services field, including the child welfare system, public safety community organizing, and helping families meet their basic needs. </p>

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Controller

“I used to hate olives but heard from a dietician friend that you need to try something 7 times before developing a taste for it. Guess what? I like olives now.”

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<p>Lindy started volunteering on Wednesday mornings and after 4 years of volunteering, she was delighted to join the team as the Controller. Lindy graduated from UW-Madison and has worked in the non-profit space while raising children with her husband Steve. She enjoys teenagers, being a high-energy cross-country parent, and meeting new people.</p>

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Urban Farm Apprentice

“Being from Columbia, the taste of delicious food never needed a translation. It brought me closer to my family and friends that were being developed in this new country.”

<details><summary>About</summary><p>Christopher has always had the dream of working at a nonprofit. For him, nonprofit work helps our world find hope in times of despair and strength in times of vulnerability. Part of his hope working here is to help provide everyone with the opportunity to find and better themselves, particularly those who may just need a bit more to get on their feet.</p></details>

Inventory Assistant

“Everything here is so healthy and that’s important to me. I’ve had my share of health issues and I take pride in eating a healthier diet.”

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<p>Bernard has had years of experience working in food pantries before coming to Kinship. Not wanting to get bored in retirement, he found us as another place where felt he could really get to work. Bernard loves working alongside people who only want to help others and has come to see that being part of this community gives him a new sense of beginning and purpose.</p>

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Café Manager

“I relate to cooking because I find it therapeutic. I find joy when people taste my food and enjoy it, and I want to bring more smiles to people's faces through food.”

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<summary>About</summary>

<p>Shania first started working in the food industry business at Tandem in 2017. Afterwards, she was a culinary supervisor for a senior living restaurant where she focused on care for the residents and their families through hospitality and food. She is excited to be on the Kinship team as she has a passion for helping others. When she is not at work she enjoys traveling, arts and crafts, and cooking food.</p>

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Senior Communications Associate

“I always find myself in the kitchen, certainly not because I can cook, but because that’s where everyone is – it’s the heart of every home.”

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<p>Amanda started volunteering at the food center several years ago and was hired on right after her graduation from Mount Mary University. She is inspired daily by the community that gives so willingly for the good of the other.</p>

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Workforce Development Manager

“Food has brought people together during my life during birthdays, holidays and more. My family has an annual cook-off with a traveling trophy.”

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<summary>About</summary>

<p>Demonte has over 15 years of experience in social services, mental health, program development, and management experience and is excited to be part of the Kinship team. Demonte is also the creator and host of a podcast advocating for equity for the global majority.</p>

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Café Associate

“Food is a way for my son and I to bond. He has been in the kitchen helping me since he was old enough to hold a whisk. I love watching his culinary creativity blossom.”

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<p>Nikki first came to Kinship as a volunteer in August 2023 and then joined our Workforce team in January of 2024. She is excited to be on the Kinship team in a new way as she helps roll out our new café space. Prior to Kinship, Nikki has primarily worked in administrative roles in manufacturing, but has always loved cooking, particularly, baking. In her free time she enjoys reading and crocheting.</p>

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Senior Urban Farm Associate

“My favorite time of year is in the fall when butternut squash is ready to harvest. I always look forward to making my family’s butternut squash lasagna recipe!”

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<summary>About</summary>

<p>Cole has been part of Milwaukee's young entrepreneurship community, starting a small plant business when he was younger. He is passionate about growing his own food and educating others about the joys of gardening. </p>

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Systems & Strategy Manager

“I’ve had a lot of great meals, but with a few exceptions, it is not the food that I remember, but the people I shared them with. Great food is a celebration of company and friendship. Unless it’s the last freezie pop, then that’s all about me.”

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<p>Mark never imagined when he first volunteered at the food center in 2015 that he would still be here years later! Mark’s passion for creating a space for relationship, encounter, and a deeper experience of God’s love for us has been at the root of his work. Additionally, Mark loves to spend as much time as possible with the Mission Interns in and out of work and finds his time with them to be the greatest gift from this work. When not spending his time at the office or at the mission house, Mark loves to read, bike, and come up with a new project to get obsessed about.</p>

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Food Center Operations Associate

“My abuelita (grandma), our family matriarch spent her Sunday’s making an elaborate meal to bring us all together. It has helped keep our family story and traditions alive.”

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<p>Dom comes to us with a background in entrepreneurship in the food business industry. She is excited to work here as it’s a place that has a good mission and a holistic approach. When she’s not at work, she enjoys being outdoors and helping with youth soccer.</p>

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Advancement Director

“Gathering around the dinner table with family has been a centerpiece of my life. Certain meals bring me right back to a special moment that I had with my grandparents, my parents, and my family.”

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<p>After relocating from her beloved hometown of Cranford, New Jersey, Jen was hired by Kinship Community Food Center at the start of the pandemic in March 2020. She feels blessed to share her nearly 30 years of experience bringing people together through philanthropy with our Community of Generosity and as an active member of her community. Jen and her husband, David, live in his hometown of Shorewood with their three teenage children, her father, and their menagerie of pets.</p>

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Food Center Director

“The clichés about food and community are so abundant because they are true – when we are able to share even the humblest meal, strangers become friends and community becomes family.”

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<summary>About</summary>

<p>Caitlin Cullen is an educator, chef, entrepreneur, and activist who uses food to help dismantle wealth and health disparities in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Previously the owner of Tandem, a social enterprise restaurant, she has always strived to improve the lives of others in the Milwaukee metropolitan area.</p>

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Managing Director

“Cooking for my friends and family is one of the highlights of my life. At work I am even referred to as Grill Dad!”

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<p>Wayne left the full-time business world to join the servant team here at the food center just a year ago. He loves hiking, listening to classic rock music and his beautiful 100-year-old home in Sherman Park, where he is found year-round grillin’ his favorite meats for his wife of 40+ years, his daughters, friends, and neighbors.</p>

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