West Michigan Partnership for Children’s (WMPC) Parent Planner, Kristina Donaldson, is passionate about making a difference in the lives she touches as she engages and seeks to connect. This will be a powerful tool as she joins the team to engage with biological parents of children in the child welfare, juvenile justice, and mental health systems.
Kristina took the Parent Planner position at WMPC with a hope to impact the lives of people, systems, services and the community in a positive way.
“This journey is fueled by passion and purpose driven. My mission is do meaningful work and add value wherever I plant my feet.”
Learn more about Kristina:
Title: Parent Planner
Number of years you have worked in the Non-profit industry: 8 years
What is your role at WMPC? What are your responsibilities in this role?
This is a new position for WMPC, so it will be in development over time, but my primary focus right now is to increase engagement with biological families of children in the child welfare, juvenile justice, and mental health systems, including coordinating weekly trainings on various topics, self-care planning, and monthly family dinners. My role will also assist in any way I can to improve the relationship building between families and the child and family service system that will result in better outcomes for children we serve.
What is the most rewarding part about your job?
The most rewarding part of this role is knowing that the work I will engage in will impact the lives of people, and hopefully systems, services, and community in a positive and meaningful way.
On the flip side, what is the most challenging part about your job?
The most challenging aspect of this work will be my ability to separate work and home life, in a way that will honor my hunger and passion for both the well-being of my family & those whom I will serve.
As a start-up organization, what inspired you to want to work for WMPC?
As a visionary I do not discount the day of small beginnings, it builds character of people and adds value to the mission of the organization. I am inspired by the synergy that is felt around the value and importance of this critical work.
What is one thing you wish people knew about foster care?
I wish people knew that foster care has the power to be a saving grace for families and children if done right.