How a 120-Year-Old Nonprofit is Revolutionizing Independence | Patricia Hillis-Clark

[0:00]  But I can remember the first time I was conducting a therapy session thinking, "Oh my goodness, like who thinks this is a good idea to allow me to be the person to be, you know, trying to help somebody else out." And um, you know, so I feel I feel really lucky that I've had patient and thoughtful mentors throughout my career. And in turn, it's something that um that I've really made a big component part of of, you know, who I how I think of myself as a leader and who I am as a leader. And um you know because I think leadership comes in all sizes right I mean we're leaders in our own families you know and when raising our own kids and our own communities we're leaders at work and you know leadership I think is about you know behaving with integrity and being you know having a lot of emotional intelligence and I think in

[0:47]  today that emotional intelligence is more critical than ever right we have to be aware of how we make others feel in our interactions and it's you know I'm I entire entirely believe that you can learn painful lessons and do it in an environment that still raises you up. Welcome back to another episode here on the Heart and Hustle podcast. Most people they'll talk about legacy, but Patricia's living it over two decades in behavioral health, now leading tech innovation at a 120-y old nonprofit.

[1:32]  Let's talk about the heart. When the heart meets the hustle journey, Patricia, what was that moment you knew? This wasn't just a job, but it was truly a calling, a purpose. Oh gosh. You know, I I fell in love with human services in high school. I was fortunate enough to have a high school that offered a psychology class. And we're going back a little ways here, you can imagine. Um, and it was the first class I can remember ever taking where I just was enthralled and so excited by the content and learned so much. Uh, so I knew I'm I'm one of those really fortunate people that knew at an early age what I wanted to do. So, I studied uh psychology in college and then through um I was able to study it all the way through

[2:19]  um and got my got my master's degree in social work and then a doctorate degree in psychology and right from the very beginning knew I was meant to be in nonprofits. The spirit of a nonprofit just connects with me. the work ethic, the types of people that are attracted to work in nonprofits, um, right? People who just love doing really hard things and get a great deal of personal satisfaction out of helping other people. Um, these are people who who know their why, right? You often hear this in industries where people have to find their why. The remarkable thing about nonprofits are that we all know our why. Um, so we wake up every day knowing exactly our why. what's driving us into work. And um I would just say that resonated that all that stuff resonated with me from an early age. Um

[3:08]  and I just feel super lucky um to be in an environment where I know the work that I get to do with my colleagues has a direct and immediate impact upon the lives of individuals in in improving their lives. And it's just I can't think of anything more exciting to be doing with my time. I always hear that when anyone's in a nonprofit space is always so excited to truly just be doing the line of work they do. So the other so just yesterday actually for Mother's Day I called my mom and and she's just venting about work you know she's she's in the uh healthc care space and she's like hey we were moving office and my mom's six years old and she said we're moving office and I was having to pick up boxes and pack boxes and the doctors took off and other people took off and your mom's too old I can't be doing this you know

[3:55]  XYZ and it was just so much venting and and I almost wanted to say mom you should go into the nonprofit space because my mom is just a giving person but people seem to be so happier when they can go to work and know that truly they're making a difference in their lives. And that's why I really love the the nonprofit space. Even myself being a leader, I didn't understand. I think I think now as I even get more and more into and having more and more conversations truly the impact the nonprofit makes. And not just so much for the community, but for the person that's running it. Like mentally, it allows us to be better versions of ourselves in a time where we may uh have imposta syndrome. if you show up to work that goes away because you realize like man there's so many people out there that are dealing with worse situations that I'm dealing with right like how can I help them at least come to surface

[4:42]  level to be quite frank yours is a little different too you're you're you're at Ken Crest which is a a big difference in just your regular day-to-day interactions why did you choose this organizations what made you feel like you know what I want to be here I want to make this difference why Kenrest Kenrest is an incredibly exciting place to work. It's um an organization that was started um about 120 years ago and uh its mission when it started was to serve the community. So it started um as a dispensary for in um for the community when at a time when we were all the when the society was struggling with outbreaks of TB and we've evolved a lot over the years and every evolution has been stamped by a response to societal

[5:30]  needs. Um so that is you know developing housing arrangements for individual with intellectual disabilities uh community based services for indiv indiv indiv indiv individuals with uh disabilities and when I was um you know looking to partner with a nonprofit I really wanted to be in a space that was innovative um and invested wholly in in their staff and in their workforce. Um I think as I said I think it's you know people who work in the nonprofit space are really special individuals and I wanted to be in an organization that really recognized that and Kenrest does um a remarkable job of involving people at all levels in decision- making and that's a difficult thing to do right the larger the organization that's a more

[6:17]  complex thing to do but the realities are that it's the individuals who providing the direct care uh right our staff who are providing the direct care to the individuals that we serve who really can give us the best advice as to what programs are necessary, how effective the programs are, um what we need to be doing more of, and frankly, what we need to be doing less of. So, um it was Ken Crest's deep commitment to growing leaders and educating the workforce, um that was, I think, the most moving and compelling for me. Um so you know we also have been a uh leader in innovation. We we do a lot of assist of technology and being in the health the the healthcare space and being able

[7:04]  to do those kinds of um interventions be able to team up with people to look at things like creating smart homes and putting technology into a home to increase somebody's independence. I mean I can't I I can't think of a more exciting thing to do. Right? You have individuals who've, you know, where families who thought that their children would never be independent and then at 30 or 40 were able to introduce technology that allows them to live independently for maybe the first time in their entire life. I mean, h how exciting is that?

[7:37]  It is. Can you actually walk us through some of these smart homes? Like, and for those that hear smart homes, what does it actually look like? What does independence really look like now? Yeah. Um so Kenrest um has our we have a whole division dedicated to assist of technology and um we have a a pilot smart home that allows individuals just to come to look at it um so they can explore it and determine what technology might be necessary for their loved ones.

[8:08]  Um but we also have tech in all of the homes that we provide to our individuals. Um, so we've got a lot of individuals that live in sort of um like group settings, two or three individuals in a home um with some uh staff that that come in and out of the home to provide support. We also have individuals that are receiving remote support. So they live independently um and they might get some remote coaching. And so some of the resources that we have in those homes are things like uh microwaves that read the um the barcodes and know exactly how to cook the food so that it's prepared properly.

[8:46]  We you know we have individuals who have physical limitations and we have toilets that not only flush um and bedays but that also have a drying capability. Um right and and that's a these are difficult things to ask for help with uh even from a loved one right even from a family member but certainly from you know a stranger. So having these kinds of supports in homes increases the autonomy of our individuals and it helps them maintain their integrity. Um we have automatic med dispensing. We of course have motion sensors so that you know if an individual were living independently and had mobility issues and perhaps fell, we could find out in a short period of time if there was no movement in the home and we can send

[9:33]  somebody in to check on them or we could remote in and check to see if they're okay. Um sensors on ovens if there's no activity going on so that we can make sure we're supporting individuals so we don't have something, god forbid, like a fire. Um so you know I mean lots of people use Ring technology um right or um or locks on the doors that are um that are remote. Um so those things are becoming a little more standard. But what we're trying to do is really focus on the kinds of technology that increases a person's independence and gives them the autonomy that they want and that they deserve.

[10:12]  I love this and I love this because when I speak to uh the leaders that are in this space, we know what it looked like years ago. It didn't look like this, right? It was actually a very sad thing to think of and and sometimes even just shunned away. Um now we're putting them in homes and we're they're living normal lives as they always should have. So I can imagine why this makes you feel happy when you wake up, right? Like oh my god, we're giving people the opportunity to live life normally. A lot of times people look at these with uh individuals with disabilities and won't even talk to them, right? Just automatically just see them differently, but you guys at Ken Crest are realizing, no, they're are human just like us and whatever we got to do to, you know, make them live that human experience that we all live. I'll tell you one, I actually spoke to a leader last week and they do

[10:59]  they have a manufacturing center and every single person that works at that center has a disability and there's and when it comes to like even machine maneuvering that they made certain things whether it's packaging or how to move this machine, they made it so that anyone of them can actually move these machines. And I'm like, man, how cool they now have delies where a lot of those individuals work at the delies cuz they're they're realizing that these people are humans. They want to do something in life. how can you help them get to that point? Um, so kudos to you and the work that you're doing because it's not easy work, but I can only imagine it's 100% fulfilling work. So, thank you for it. I want to get into that that technology innovation because you got you mentioned how you guys are that's your thing, right? That's your kind of your bread and butter. But Crest, Ken Crest isn't just using AI.

[11:44]  You're teaching people how to use it, right? Or even just technology in itself. What made you so fearless about innovation when some of the world is is at fear that is replacing a job? Yeah, you know, it's a great question. I I think that um Kenrest has always been a pioneer in many different spaces and you know, I think it's an organization that has a legacy of embracing change.

[12:10]  um which has allowed us to be able to think beyond where we how we currently operate and what we currently do to look at the needs of the people that we're here and committed to serve. Um and I think in its truest form, right, if we really are uh if we really committed to meeting the needs of other people, we've got to evolve at the rate that society is evolving, right? So that we can remain relevant and helpful ultimately.

[12:37]  Um, and you know, people are living in a world where there is tremendous accessibility to technology. Um, and being able to harness uh that innovation and construct homes that um where somebody can go in and even just spend a couple of hours and and practice using the technology decreases their fears, right? So it's so it's not only just getting our workforce of um in a space where they're comfortable using the technology and we've put a lot of time and energy into that and our uh our workforce is incredibly adept and comfortable using the technology but it can be scary for individuals and their families, right? I mean when you have an individual that's been living with you and now they're an adult and they've always been dependent upon somebody else

[13:25]  providing support and supervision, it can be scary um to think about them living independently with only remote supports. And so we work really hard to partner with families and community stakeholders so that it can be a comfortable transition and that we're very responsive to the worries and concerns about families and their loved ones. Um allowing for, you know, accessing the technology, using it in brief periods of time, even loaning out the technology to practice using it and creating um comfort with it becomes a critical component to success. Uh I love it. I love it. And what do you when we talk about AI, I think one of the spaces that a lot of nonprofits or those in healthcare spaces are not using it in is really in the the how we continue to engage with the community um whether that's really our internal

[14:13]  community or external communities. That could be our donors, that could be um our residents. Have you guys figured out how to kind of get into that space so that it becomes that number one resources even three, six months, but also continue that engagement piece? Have you guys got into that space? Yeah. So, Kenrest has a national certification as an assistive technology provider. Um, in addition to that, we partner with state agencies to provide uh assist of technology in three different states, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, and Delaware.

[14:42]  Um, and we are having multiple conversations with lots of entities about training up their workforces um or partnering on projects that expand uh the application of assisted technology. Uh so it's it's been a really exciting space and um you know there's it's there's so much opportunity out there because of everyone's collective desire for inclusion and um trying to create you know trying to create lives that are the most meaningful. Right? We all want to be able to live our best lives and um allowing the individual to define for themselves what their best life is is a is a critical component to their happiness.

[15:27]  So we recognize that in order to be able to do that, we have to partner broadly. Um so not only with with external stakeholders and organiz other organizations that maybe are able to do things that we're not able to do, but then you know there's things that they can that we can do to offset um on their side. So those partnerships have been very exciting for us and then it gives us sort of a broader audience, right? A bigger conversation um which is ultimately where we want to be. We're we're happy to provide the services, but we're just deeply committed to to other organizations in a similar space, being able to learn from the kinds of things we've been able to do and the possibilities we've been able um to make real uh for individuals and their families.

[16:15]  Hey, real quick. If you're enjoying the podcast, we first want to say thank you. And we also just want to give you a little insight of what we're up to at Francis. Some don't even realize that we're working with organizations to help them use AI to create that real human communication experiences, whether that's actually supporting your your families, those patients, or the entire community. We're actually creating tech that connects. Check it out. Francis.ai.

[16:41]  I love that. Yeah, I think when it comes to AI. I think that's that's this cool thing about it is that there's so many different aspects to really utilize AI. I'm such a big advocate now. Um you asked me two years ago, I'm like it is what it is, right? Like I wasn't using it, but for the last year actually using it at a very to me low level because I'm using only chat GPT, but now starting to create automations and seeing some of the unique things that are happening where people can communicate at a SMS level um with you know a human body per se. It seems like human, but it's really just giving you all the insight that your business that you've put into this data box may have. So, you don't have to have someone picking up phones because I'm a big believer at times we have people doing work that yes is helpful, but it's it's we if we can automate it, if we can AI that part, we can have more people actually helping our individuals

[17:29]  that need the assistance, right? We don't need picking up phone calls and giving you resources. So, I love that we're kind of in spaces where we're seeing a lot of these different things and that the organizations, especially now with what's happening in our in our country with funds being, you know, cut and people not knowing what's next and how to pivot because they're, you know, maybe 85% of their income is is for Medicaid, from Medicaid. So, all these things that are really kind of happening within the world, AI is kind of playing a role. Okay. Well, we might have to do budget cuts and get rid of some things, but we can implement these. Is there anything that you feel now that Ken Crest could probably um win from if implementing an AI bot on the website?

[18:09]  Uh I don't know what what that looks like for Ken Crest. Any ideas? Um any ideas about just how AI where you guys can actually implement it today to make a difference, but you guys haven't got there yet. um we are you know I think this space around um maximizing the remote supports can be really critical. So we talk about it a lot with the ID population. Um but you know honestly as we as we're all aging it can I think it can play a significant role in supporting individuals to remain in their communities in their homes with loved ones. Um, so we're we're having to utilize less those care facilities, right? Care care facilities for the elderly, for example. Um, you know, there's there's so many spaces where it

[18:59]  can bridge the gap between some of the medical needs and the medical communication that's necessary in the community. Um, or people who are not ambulatory who we're going back and forth to their medical appointments is difficult. We're partnering right now so that there we can really maximize the um the teleaalth platform to be able to um to create less disruption in people's lives. It's an undertaking for people who are wheelchair bound for example to get into medical appointments and sit in long lines in hospitals. Um so you know while I appreciate that it's not a space that it that we aren't in yet. It's a space that we are in. I think these are all spaces that have just tremendous potential. I think the other thing that's potentially exciting and and

[19:45]  isn't a space that we are that we are in yet is more like a it's like a matching, right? I mean, there's a lot that goes on these days about people meeting other people on the internet, and there's certainly advantages and disadvantages to that, but for a population of individuals who've never really lived independently and don't have a broad social network, to be able to go on an internet and match with a roommate who also might have some special needs so that, you know, they can form meaningful relationships and then live in an independent environment where they're getting remote supports, I think, is a is a different way of doing things, right? We've got kids who are leaving for college who are looking for roommates um and matching for roommates as they're leaving for college, but we're not necessarily looking at this as an opportunity for the individuals who've always lived with their parents

[20:32]  and are maybe 35 and 40 years old and can live independently and are also wanting those kinds of meaningful peer relationships. Um so I I just think that there's a lot of exciting ways that this can be done. Obviously, you know, it's important to have guard rails in technology um to keep everybody safe, but I think there's tremendous potential to increase um and redefine what is a meaningful life for people.

[20:56]  That is so cool. You started to go into the uh you know, dating scene of apps and I'm like, I I know it. I haven't been on it and I can't even imagine, but I do know you swipe left, swipe right, but it makes sense in the world of what you're talking about, right? Where people can find those roommates. That's actually such a game changer for for those that are looking for the roommates and you could just kind of read a little quick on them and figure out if you guys match. That is actually really really cool. I haven't heard that yet. So, um I want to talk about your leadership skills. You're a person that you've helped others grow. You you know how to develop other leaders, but what about you? Like what's the hardest leadership lesson you've had to learn? And who was the one pouring into you when you're pouring into everybody else?

[21:38]  Oh gosh. I've really been very very lucky in this in this space. I um I have been fortunate enough to work with uh leaders who've always invested in me. They've invested in my learning. They've given me opportunities. Um they've stood by me and and held my hand when I've failed. Um and with the all the while saying important lessons, you're learning important lessons and you'll get it right next time. Right. Um, so it's been um, you know, I think that that's the thing that's been the most meaningful for me is from a very early space in my career. Uh, I had people who believed in me until I could got to a space where I really believed in myself, right? I mean, I think people starting out in their careers are always a little uncomfortable and you're not really sure

[22:26]  of your skill set. I can remember the first time I was conducting a therapy session thinking, "Oh my goodness, like who thinks this is a good idea to allow me to be the person to be, you know, trying to help somebody else out." And um, you know, so I feel I feel really lucky that I've had patient and thoughtful mentors throughout my career. And in turn, it's something that um that I've really made a big component part of of, you know, who I how I think of myself as a leader and who I am as a leader. And um you know because I think leadership comes in all sizes, right? I mean we're leaders in our own families, you know, and when raising our own kids, in our own communities, we're leaders at work.

[23:05]  And you know, leadership, I think, is about, you know, behaving with integrity and being, you know, having a lot of emotional intelligence. And I think in today that emotional intelligence is more critical than ever, right? We have to be aware of how we make others feel in our interactions. And it's, you know, I I entirely believe that you can learn painful lessons and do it in an environment that still raises you up.

[23:31]  Um, and I, you know, I think leaders have to allow people to to fail. Um, not that you're not going to you you're not going to jump in and be helpful, right? But we don't we can't fear failure. And I think this is how Kenrest has been such an innovative leader over time is that we haven't feared failing because, you know, if you're trying and you're trying um to make change, it's not all going to go well. Um and the same has been true for me as a leader. I I've been able to be um a mentor. I've been able to, you know, teach at the college level and um take on interns early in their career. And honestly, that's some of my the most exciting stuff I've done.

[24:13]  I you know working with interns people new in their career their excitement is contagious and they just do such a great job of thinking outside of the box right I mean sometimes when we go on in our careers you know you have to really work for your world not to become narrow and the super exciting thing about kids coming out of college and grad school is the world is so huge and you know I think I've honestly over my time learned more from the interns that I've worked with and or the practicum students um who just aren't limited. Their fields of vision is aren't limited. Um yeah, and and that's been I think a real, you know, a really fun space.

[24:53]  I I'm I've I've always been a fan of working with young individuals. Even from when I was young, like my first I was a 19-year-old general manager. And even though I was young, I love to work with those that never had a job before because I feel like those were the best or they just came out of school, right?

[25:10]  because they do have this fresh perspective and no one no one's really there's great leaders and there's bad leaders right and sometimes they come with this bad leadership perspective or what this may look like and I was always just excited to pour into them the correct ways and know that some of them I can only imagine some of them still come to you and say I remember what you said this many years ago and when you hear that you're like man that's so cool for us it's just doing what we do every single day right leadership kind of lives in us you mentioned about being a mom earlier about kids, right? You're you're leading your kids like you've been doing the work for years now. Um even before the kids, but even more when you become a parent, you truly are a leader. It's not they're not probably listening to you, but they're watching every single step that you're doing.

[25:53]  Being part of Ken Crest, I can imagine your kids are are are excited. You know, hopefully they think that mom's a damn near superhero. Look what mom is doing for the world. If they don't, the kids got to get on it. Had to throw it in there. I know they watching. So, I love it. What what what does your kids when you talk about leadership? What skills does your kids bring you in leadership?

[26:14]  Oh gosh. Um, I would, you know, I I would tell you my kids are my my biggest inspiration and I know a lot of people say that and uh I guess what I want to how I want to speak about that is that I don't think there's a harder job than being a parent and being able to do it well and thoughtfully is incredibly complicated. And I've got I've got three kids and um two teenagers and and one in her early 20s. And you know, they are incredibly articulate kids who are not scared to have tough conversations, right? They they're able to respectfully say, "I disagree with you and I don't see the world that way." And I think that that those are qualities. I mean, of the, you know, I mean, I could talk

[27:03]  all day about my I've got three great kids and I'm super lucky, but you know, it's we live in a world that requires courageous leadership and and you don't just become a leader at 40 or 50. You become a leader as you're living your life, right? We need leaders on the playground at five years old. We need leaders in middle school. And if I, you know, of all the things that I hope to have done in my career and in my life is help anybody that I've interacted with recognize that, you know, you have you have opportunities throughout your day every single day to be the kind of leader that you want to be. And I hope that my kids are are just living living out those opportunities, right? if

[27:49]  they're seeing something in their environments that they're not comfortable with, speaking up and saying, "Hold on, wait a second. Let's have a conversation about this." Yeah. Um because I think that's how we're going to be growing the future of leaders. I think that th those conversations that every parent is having at home and teachers are having right um at very early ages is what's going to shape the futures of the Kenrests of the world and and all the other organizations that are striving to do the right thing and environments where sometimes talking about the right thing is hard and certainly doing the right thing is even harder.

[28:26]  I'm sitting here. I have a 2-year-old. Oh, sorry. I have a four-year-old and a one-year-old. Almost two-year-old. And my four-year-old's at a point where it's like, "No, I'm not doing that. No, dad or mom." First of all, I just want to kind of go back. You said parents is the hardest job. I think being a mom is the hardest job. Okay? Cuz let's be honest, I have a my both my kids, they love me, but mom first. And my wife's a stay at home mom, so I got to give her anytime I give the ability to give her the praise, I'm going to give her that praise. four years in and I couldn't do the job that she does. Not at all. Um, but you you know what you mentioned is how your kids are saying, "No, I don't see it that way." Like being able to really speak and be confident in how they believe in. I didn't have that growing up. So, you mentioned that and I'm like, man, that is that is you teaching kids

[29:13]  how to be a leader and how to use their voices and how to not just uh be another individual in the the cycle of work, but hey, when things are wrong, it's okay for you to say it, but it's how you say it. Cuz a lot of times is we say the right things. It's just maybe we said it wrong in the wrong tone and things like that.

[29:30]  So, when you said that, I'm like, maybe I just teach my daughter it's okay to say no, but know why, right? and and how to say no without the attitude where it comes to too aggressive. So, I love it. I love that you're kind of really instilling this in your kids and and you're clearly by the way you're talking that your kids are kind of taking that in. And one of the biggest things I I tell my wife is I want to be able to build relationship uh that open door that anything happens if when you're 20, you mentioned your 20-year-old daughter, when she's out in the world, god forbid something happens, it's okay to call me at 1, 2 o'clock, 3:00 in the morning, right? being able to build that because and I believe that now with our our youth and the different generation, they are like that. Believe me, we don't have to tell them. They're just popping out like that at this point. Um, so I love that you're you're in this space because

[30:17]  it shows also that you're a great mom, but you're also a great leader. So continue doing, you know, the amazing things that you're doing. But I want to talk about in a space where new CEOs are coming in. What gets you most excited about where Ken Crest is is truly headed with um just new leadership, new I can imagine energy, a new set of eyes.

[30:39]  Yeah, we um we're in the middle of one of those transitions here. We've had our very very longtime CEO who retiring and uh her legacy is just amazing, right? I mean, talk about a leader who's really invested in the learning and growing of other people. Uh, you know, this is a woman who despite an unbelievably busy schedule, uh, somehow finds time to have, um, weekly town halls with the entire workforce to answer questions and provide education and, um, and has spent hours and hours educating the workforce on the changes in the in the federal government and what the budget implications would be for spaces like ours.

[31:19]  Uh, it's remarkable. Um and we're really lucky that um her successor is a woman who has been committed to Kenrest for a long time and uh shares much of her vision and um is just really excited to take on the challenges that um that nonprofits are going to be facing over the next several years. Uh and thinks innovatively about how to get that done with um with technology. a lot of um what we've been building on has been helping to prepare us for for these next couple of years. Um, so it's been uh it's been really inspiring to be in this place and uh because of the way Kenrest works towards succession planning and educating their workforce and really um

[32:07]  growing leaders, they're able to shift make make shifts through these difficult times and this transition in a way that holds on to the spirit of what the organization has always been here to do with clarity of vision of of where we're going to be in the next five years and tenure. So it's um well you know these times get a little uncertain I think um they are they are ripe with opportunity and uh I just I feel lucky to be here at at this juncture uh in my career to uh support these leaders and in sort of realizing the vision for the organization over the next several years. It's a fun time to be here.

[32:48]  When you were telling me about the transition, um, I was hoping that I was getting some breaking news that you were going to be the next CEO. Is that ever an idea of yours to go and run a nonprofit at that level or are you okay doing what you do on a day-to-day? What does that look like for you in the future? You know, it's it's such an interesting question because I can tell you throughout my entire career, um I have I've never really looked at an opportunity and said, um, you know, oh my god, that's definitely what I want to do. I re what I've always wanted to do is just have the biggest footprint of impact in whatever space I can do that.

[33:26]  Well, um, so titles and and those kinds of things have never been something that has been a driving variable for me. It's been where can I have the most impact? How can I use my skills in a way that's going to help me feel really good at at the end of the day, right? I I want to go home and be able to look in the mirror and be really proud of the work that I've done. And um so I think um in terms of where I want to go or what I want to do, I just I want to be in environments where I am inspired, where I'm encouraged to take appropriate risks. Um and I can have a meaningful impact upon the lives of the individuals and the families that we're here to

[34:13]  support. and um and whatever that looks like, as long as at the end of the day I can feel good about the things I'm doing, I'm I'm all in. Love it. And what for those that are listening, what role do you play with Ken Crest? Uh at the moment, I am the vice president of programs. So, I'm responsible for all of the uh services that we provide to adults across the Northeast region.

[34:41]  I love it. And how long you been doing that that uh that line of work for Krest? So I've only been with Kenrest actually a short while. Um but I've been in the human services field. I was with another organization for 25 years. Um and then I transitioned over to Kenrest uh within the last year actually. Okay. So this is this is fun for you then, right? Like what you're doing on podcast. I can only imagine making moves now. You're excited. Anytime. It's funny. I was telling my mom. She's like I I would love to say something. right back to what I was mentioning earlier, but she's like, I'm within my first 90 days because she went she transferred to a different location. Okay. And she's like, you know, I'm trying to be on my best behavior, you know, but usually those first couple of months are are the exciting time. I mean, that first year is an exciting time because you're especially as you mentioned about the leaders that you had and now are going to have as well is that they're

[35:30]  listening to you and that they care. It's so cool when you work in an establishment like that, especially after 25 years and going into something very different, very uncomfortable, but that's what excites great leaders. So, I I imagine that you're just so excited because within that year, you've seen change. You've seen some of the things that maybe you want to implement for some years now being implemented.

[35:53]  Um, you see people the same amount of energy and and and purpose that you have. So, I love it. I love this for you. So, yeah, VP right now is where you're at. I can imagine, you know, a few years from now, we're talking a whole different conversation. Um, we start to wrap this up, but I ask you for those that would, what would you say to someone actually who wants to make an impact but doesn't know where to start?

[36:14]  I think that's where the issue lies. People don't know that we're not just asking for donations. We don't just need money. We need resources. We need talents. We need uh, you know, it could be techn people that knows technology, people that can deliver workshops. There could be so many different things on how you can actually get incorporated into nonprofits, but Kent Crest to be exact, how could people get involved?

[36:36]  Yeah, I mean so Kenrest has um uh we're heavily dependent upon um you know donors and um volunteers and there's always ways in which um people can be helpful um you know whether or not it's it's their resources or people that they can connect us with to be able to um continue to move services forward. Um we're always interested in having those kinds of conversations with with anybody. Uh and I you know I think that um at a time when there's so much uncertainty I a lot of people are looking for ways that they can sort of pitch in and help. Um, and you know, Ken, in our region, Kenrest, we have, um, we have events where, you know, you

[37:25]  can come and, you know, um, donate your time or your resources, and we're we're always happy to, um, have those conversations with people. And, um, you know, you can go on our website, kenrest.org, and, um, you can find lots of ways to get involved and and stay connected with us. And, um, you know, and we're always grateful to have, uh, people involved.

[37:48]  All right, listen. I can't believe it already, but we're at the end of this episode. However, before we finish, we got to actually get into that hot seat. Is the blind question time. Are you excited about the blind question? I'm excited about the blind question. All right. After this, you get to also ask your blind question to the next leader. But our last leader asks, um, "What's something about you no one would actually guess just by looking at your resume?"

[38:12]  Then nobody would guess looking at my resume. Yeah. Um, like for me, I love wrestling. I'm a plant dad. People will never know those type of things. But what is that surprise that people were like, "No way." Um, so I I am a triathlete. I've competed in Iron Man. Did you one? How many? How many? Uh, so I only did one full, but I've done nine halves.

[38:36]  Wow. I You're right. Are you still doing them today? Yeah. I stay pretty active. Um, you know, I tell myself I want to do one. I I'm staying active. I'm 35 years old. And I was like, I got to, you know, cuz it goes back to the kids, right? I want to just show my daughter that whatever the hell you want to go do, you go do it, you know? And so I do at one point never even signed up for one.

[38:58]  Don't know what they actually entail. But, you know, maybe maybe I had to hit you up to figure out how I kind of get involved and what the training look like. I got you. I got you. I love this. So, let's talk about your blind question. What is your blind question to the next leader? All right. So, you mentioned heroes earlier and I and I uh it's funny because my question is is about that because I feel fortunate, right, that I work with so many people who really are your your everyday superheroes. Um, so my question is, everyone has a superpower. What is yours? And what made you realize that that was your superpower?

[39:33]  Oh, that is a very amazing question. Yeah, I'm I'm going to tell you what mine is just because it was so good. I never answer them, but it's really my voice. And when did I notice? It was probably when I was 30 years old, believe it or not. I grew up with people making fun of my voice. I would create content for my early 20s, never go back and watch it because I was my worst critic. Um, so I would just eat them alive and just it would just bother me.

[39:57]  So I couldn't watch my own videos till 30 years old. And it was really taking on a job. Um, and that's why I believe that any every job we take, what is in it for me? So, I took a job as a facilitator. Never thought I'd be a facilitator, first of all, but I was working for the airline industry. The opportunity presented itself. And I was like, I thought I would never teach kids. But God had a different plan. He says, "You're teaching adults." Um, but I said, "What do I learn?" And it was how to become a better speaker, how to be more confident in front of crowds.

[40:26]  And mind you, I've spoken in front of sta, you know, I've spoken on stages and stuff like that, but I still wasn't confident. I I I now feel like I'm very confident. And then someone mentioned to me, well, I think also just having people say, "You're so good at what you do." Or people get chills when I'm just talking to them about life or how much do you charge for consulting? Like, and this is just by me talking, not realizing that God given me this gift of my voice. And um then I did Undercover Boss a few years ago, but I still speak to the chief development officer. And recently within the last year and a half, he also met which kind of brought it back up and allowed me to really kind of think about it was he says, "Ephan, I've seen you do so much in your life building brands and helping others build their brands and and you know you I share my story all the time on sexual abuse and adoption. I help others share

[41:13]  their stories still not realizing my voice is that thing that superpower." And he says, "Man, when do you start to teach people everything? When do you start to take the advice that you're teaching people? Because people teach best what they need the most. You tell people to know their worth. when do you know yours? And that and when he said that, I'm like, you're right. When do I know my worth? Right? When do I realize that my superpowers are truly what I need to be tapping into my voice? And look what the hell I'm doing.

[41:38]  There you go. You know, like this is this is pretty cool. So, that was actually really good. I can't wait to hear what someone else's question is. I want to ask you what it is, but I'll ask you offline what your what you think it is because that's it. That's the end of it. Guys, if you guys are still watching this far, we thank you so much. Actually, can we talk about social medias? What's the website? What is the social media? Where can people follow you guys?

[41:56]  Yeah, so our website is kenrest.org. Um, and there's a ton of information about what we do, how we do what we do, ways to be involved, ways to donate. Um, so look us up. We'd love to hear from you. I love it. Well, Patricia, you have been amazing. You've knocked out the park. We got to learn so much more about Ken Crest, but also you as a leader. I'm a big believer that yes, we should definitely highlight resources, but let's highlight those people that are sitting at desks behind the scenes.

[42:25]  sometimes in an office, but truly doing the the the work that um we should all be doing, right? Find yourself in an organization. I say this every single time. There are nonprofits out there that probably everything you do on a day-to-day basis, they need you, right? You just don't know because you haven't looked it up. Nonprofits need the talent. Whether it's one hour, five hours a week, it goes so far. So, we thank you for watching another great episode here with Ken Crest and Patricia and what they're doing, some of the amazing things. Check out their website.

[42:54]  This has been the Heart and Hustle Podcast. We'll catch you guys in the next episode. Text you later. Thank you.