Amanda and Rebekah

Job: Community Outreach Director at the Martin-Pitt Partnership for Children

What you do in the community?: As the Community Outreach Director for the Partnership, I am responsible for ensuring that quality early childhood education for all children is a priority in our community. I plan and organize outreach events, speak to various organizations and businesses, attend community meetings, and work to increase the grants and private funding to benefit early childhood education initiatives.

Why do you do it?: I have a bachelor’s degree in communication with a double-focus in public relations and multimedia journalism, and a master’s in communication. My passion for storytelling, graphic design, and community engagement culminated in the perfect storm that led me to my current position. My job brings together my talents and education in a way that allows me to have an incredible impact on the community as a whole.

Why it is important?: Nearly 90% of a child’s brain development occurs during the first 2,000 days of life — roughly the time between birth and the day a child enters kindergarten. Although I always joke about only being a dog mom, I can’t stress enough the importance of investing in the success of our community’s children. The experiences that our children have during their first 2,000 days are a defining factor in their successes, or failures, later in life. Children who have access to high-quality child care are less likely to be retained in grade, less likely to be referred to special education, less likely to go to jail, more likely to graduate high school, and more likely to attend college. When we support and love these families, we better the future of our community as a whole. That’s one of the most important things in the world to me.

Job: Fire and Life Safety Educator/Public Information Officer at Greenville Fire/Rescue

What you do in the community?: I believe in the mission of life safety and injury prevention. When I’m not working, I’m typically contributing to the community through education. I am privileged enough to work with people in all walks of life. I maintain the community fundraising efforts GFR hosts including blood drives, fundraisers benefiting the United Way, and Operation Santa Claus, a toy drive serving hundreds of underprivileged children in Pitt County.

Why do you do it?: Integrating my work into the community is the most rewarding aspect of my job. It allows me to interact with the people we are serving and impact their lives.

What are some things you are passionate about?: I am a mentor to a youth program entitled SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions). This program launched in all Pitt County middle and high schools in 2017. I believe the teenage years are a truly formative and difficult time for kids, now more than ever. Any guidance we can give them to make informed decisions is life changing.

Why it is important?: I serve on several local and state committees catering to educating children and the elderly. My roles include: Co-Chair of Pitt County Safe Kids, the Chair- Elect of Safe Communities of Pitt County, the Eastern Region Representation for the North Carolina Fire and Life Safety

Education Association, a member of the Remembering When Fall and Fire Prevention Coalition, and an Advisory Council Member of Mental Health America of Eastern Carolina. I impact the community through installing smoke alarms, teaching kids to “get low and go” through engaging activities, facilitating CPR classes, identifying fall hazards for senior citizens or spreading safety messages through social media. The goal of each role is to make the community we live in a safer place.

10

May | June 2018

mixer