OUR TEAM

WHO:

I was born and raised in San Jose, CA in 1951 when soccer was not even heard of in the United States.  I was first introduced to, and fell in love with, the sport in a PE Class as a Junior at Pioneer High School which I was the Student Body President for in 1970. My love for the sport continued as I captained the UC Berkeley Varsity team and increased my involvement in growing the sport nationally.  I then completed my Master’s in Physical Education at Cal State Hayward and was hired as the Head Coach of Men’s Varsity Soccer at St. Mary’s College of CA. In 1982, I founded the Women’s Varsity Soccer at St. Mary’s and led them to win national championships in 1984 and 1986.  While directing a youth sports camp in the summer of 1985, a very fateful meeting with a young camper took place which would circle back years later to profoundly change my life’s trajectory.  My “Soccer-centric” life focus was about to be shaken up and displaced by my love of God.

WHY:

GOD! That fateful 1985 encounter was with a 16 yo camper named Leslie Collins (now Trautwein). She “talked God” to me in ways I’d never known. I retired from coaching and transitioned to teaching at St. Mary’s in 1998 and continued to grow and mature in my Christian faith-walk and, in 2004 Leslie informed me she was moving with her family to the Dominican Republic to be a missionary with Kids Alive in the Dominican Republic. I visited, and after 2 summer trips going solo to do amazing clinics with groups of up to 150 Dominican children (yes, alone!), while on the plane returning home in summer 2005, God placed a vision on my heart of sharing the experience with the college students.  On that day, Here For Kids was born into an idea. Here For Kids was established as a registered 501(c)3 and we began to expand to several other campuses doing Spring Break Trips.  I love to see how the college students are impacted by the level of poverty, yet the unbounded love of the children that often morphs into a spiritual, literally life-transforming experience that changes the trajectory of their lives forever.  For many, they “finally find purpose”.

FUN FACT:

If you ever are in a place that has pinball, look at the “High Score” registered on the machine.  If it says, “LUV”, you will know that I (Randy) have been there.

WHO:

I have a passion for service, leadership, and youth empowerment! I was born in Colombia and grew up in San Jose, CA and now live in San Francisco, CA. I graduated from Saint Mary’s College of California with a double major in Business Administration and Communication as the college’s Student Body President and Club Soccer Captain. I come to HFK with extensive experience in management and communication due to my previous roles as a Spanish/English Translator and Interpreter, a Manager for Latin Foods Market and Google Cloud, an International Conference Director with the California Association of Student Councils, and an Inspirational Speaker with Diego J. Rios Inspiration. Being in this role at HFK has confirmed my love and the importance for community and service.

WHY:

HFK provides experiences that transform lives... I was one of those lives! My first trip to the Dominican Republic proved that my life values were in line with HFK’s fundamental pillars - youth development, biculturalism, sports ministry, and faith formation. I am blessed and excited to work with such a dedicated group of servants and carry out our Vision and Mission. I’m very thankful to God for providing this opportunity and I want to fulfill the call for service he has placed in my heart.

FUN FACT:

I enjoy exploring, adventuring, and traveling which has led me to visit over 20 countries! Also, I'm my mom’s "best" birthday gift, as I was born on her birthday!

WHO:

I graduated from Saint Mary's College of California in 2015 with a BA in Kinesiology: Sports and Recreation Management. While attending SMC I was a member and captain of the women's soccer team, and was introduced to HFK after a teammate gave Randy Farris my phone number. I went on my first trip with Here For Kids to Peru in Spring of 2012 and have gone on trips almost every year since! (sometimes going on two trips a year). I love to travel, connect with others, work with children and of course, play soccer.

WHY:

I am involved with HFK because of the people. Each trip I have been on is so unique and the relationships I've built are one of a kind. I LOVE that I have been able to watch the kids grow year after year, from little niños to awkward teens to young adults! To watch these children be impacted by positive interactions with our teams and then positively impact their community is my why.

FUN FACT:

Everything about me is fun! Just kidding. I have always wanted to be a farmer and have a pet cow, but at the moment I'm living in Spain playing soccer. I can wiggle my ears if I really focus. I don't like coffee or cheese, which tends to bother people around the world. My favorite color is green. I still don't know what I want to be when I grow up.

WHO:

I just graduated from online school having been homeschooled my whole life and am soon to start college in January of 2023 with a major in Psychology. I've lived in the Dominican Republic with my family since 2011 as missionaries in a small town in the middle of the island. Since I was young I looked up to not only the things HFK would do in the lives of kids here, but also the people who they brought down. On my first mission trip to Haiti with HFK in 2017, it was made clear to me that despite not playing sports, I was still able to serve in other ways. Since then, I've found ways to help in my community and ministry whether that be by teaching English to kids, doing teenage girls' makeup, or helping cook a delicious meal. I hope to continue putting my talents and hands at work in the future with HFK!

WHY:

When I turned fifteen I was not only very lost, but also very confused. I had so many questions about who I wanted to be and what I wished to achieve, but God pulled me through that with a patient heart and lots of love. From that point on, I understood that this is what we must do for children, guide them with a patient heart and give them the love they need. So many of the HFK alumni have done so in my own life that it has inspired me to be the same for other children and teenagers.

FUN FACT:

My favorite way to pass time is spending it with friends and family, whether that be by playing video games together or sharing a meal, I'm always around!

WHO:

I graduated from Santa Clara University in 1997 with my B.S. in Computer Engineering, and joined a semiconductor company in Silicon Valley named QuickLogic - and have not left since. I love to teach, blending engineering with business. I went on my first trip to Peru in 2009. 

WHY:

I am involved with Here For Kids because I experienced firsthand the positive impact the organization can bring to both the children and the volunteers.  I love being part of this collective journey and contributing towards the mission of 'blessed to be a blessing'.

FUN FACT:

I have always loved the outdoors and don’t hesitate to throw the gear and kids in the car & head out for a weekend of hiking, camping, fishing & kayaking.

WHO:

I am the Director of Development for Summit Public Schools and bring experience in development, finance, and program management. Prior, I worked at the University of San Francisco (USF) for 6 years. At USF, under the Office of the President, I directed the social justice program, student leadership development, the O'Brien Family tutoring program, and the university's community outreach program. Additionally, I am the Vice-Chair for Here For Kids and have served with Here For Kids since its inauguration. I also serve on other nonprofit boards to advise, consult, and execute services to support holistic education and the development of youth within marginalized communities nationally and internationally. I received my Bachelor's in Political Science from Fresno State University. I later earned a Master's degree in International Studies with an emphasis on peace and conflict resolution at the University of San Francisco. 

WHY:

I am a strong believer in the vision and mission of HFK. I believe that every child should have the opportunity to live to their full potential and live a life of well-being. Additionally, I love the transformational change that children and young adults experience when they are engaged with HFK. HFK offers life-changing experiences that are grounded in love, and that is something that I profoundly value.

FUN FACT:

I love music, traveling and learning about different cultures, spending time with my children and wife, and playing sports (especially soccer).

WHO:

I graduated from Vanderbilt University in 2018 with my B.S. in Engineering Sciences and Spanish. I went on my first Here For Kids service team to the Dominican Republic during Vanderbilt spring break in 2015 and returned several times. In fact, on my second trip, I felt called to ministry instead of pursuing a career in engineering. This led to me working at a church for 3.5 years in youth ministry before deciding to pursue my Masters in Human Development Counseling. I finished my graduate degree now in 2021 and am delighted to say I just celebrated my 2 year anniversary of moving to the Dominican Republic to serve with Kids Alive, HFK’s partner organization in the DR, as a trauma counselor. I love engaging some of my engineering logistics skill set in my role as Operations Director with HFK to help others fall in love with service.

WHY:

I am involved with Here For Kids because my first trip with HFK changed the trajectory of my life. I want to open the eyes of our team members to the joy of service in the same way that mine were opened on my first trip in 2015. 

FUN FACT:

I picked up wakeboarding in 2017 and have fallen in love with it! I got her first wetsuit for my birthday this year so that I can continue to enjoy this hobby even when it is cold, although living in the DR has slowed down some of my progress!

WHO:

After graduating with a BS in Psychology and Minor in Mathematics from Saint Mary’s College of California in December 2016, I joined Google as a Leadership Recruiter for the Moonshots and Bets at Alphabet (Google’s parent company). I was one of three members of the team that recruited C-suite executives for Google X, DeepMind, Waymo, and other Alphabet companies. In May 2019 I transitioned to work on Mergers & Acquisitions at Google. I am currently a Program Manager on this team whereby we work on all the operations behind the people, processes and programs when Google acquires and/or divests a company. In September 2022 I relocated from San Francisco to Chicago to start at Kellogg School of Management (Northwestern’s Business School) to pursue my MBA while still working for Google. I am currently the Director of Community Engagement in the Social Impact Club and am a Forté Fellow. At Here for Kids International, I previously was a member of the Development Task Force from 2021 to 2022, and currently am a Board Member. 

WHY:

During my undergraduate time at Saint Mary’s, I heard many of my peers talk about service trips they went on through Here For Kids International. I was working 3-4 jobs during college in order to pay for all my expenses, so never had the time nor funds to go on one of these trips. After graduating, I saved up enough money to go on a trip to the Dominican Republic and it changed my life. I have always volunteered for non-profits but this solidified my passion to serve. After a couple trips to Kids Alive Haiti, I knew I wanted to get involved further to support this organization and the organizations HFK partners with. Now that I am broadening my skill sets in Business School and becoming better networked and professionally experienced, I believe it is my calling to utilize all the knowledge and resources I have to help those that do not have the same privileges and/or opportunities as myself and others. As a member of this Board, I hope to bring my experiences and perspective to conversations in order to further the cause HFK supports.

FUN FACT:

 I am a complete foodie! Whenever I travel, I love finding the best locally owned restaurants. My favorite in San Francisco is Che Fico.

WHO:

I am a pastor at Moraga Valley Presbyterian Church in the Bay Area where I have served for the past 16 years. Prior to that I served churches in San Diego and Ventura. I have a passion for seeing young people engage with their world and love seeing God grab the hearts of people who are willing to step out of their comfort zone and into the mystery, for its there that God meets us. I have been on several mission trips with Randy Farris and helped brainstorm some good folks for Randy to reach out to as he began HFK while on a train in Peru.

WHY:

I am committed to HFK and the vital role that it plays in allowing young adults to explore God’s calling on their life in this transformative time in their lives. I said yes to serving on the board because I want to do all I can to support HFK and its mission.

FUN FACT:

I am an avid outdoorsman and love backpacking, camping and fishing. Fly fishing is my current passion and I even ties my own flies!

WHO:

I am the former Director of Women's Ministries at MVPC (Moraga Valley Presbyterian Church), where I was introduced to Kids Alive and Randy Farris, who I've known since the early 1990s.  My relationship with MVPC started in 1992 and continues to this day, although I no longer live in Lamorinda. I am currently a licensed SUD Counselor (UCSD) and work with clients who are in the early stages of their recovery from substance use disorder.

WHY:

I am passionate about sharing HOPE with His people.  I've been blessed with so many opportunities to serve Him and His precious kids of ALL ages.  My heart heard His spirit respond with a resounding YES to the call to be on HFK's Board. I'm excited to see what He has in store for this new board in this new year.  I have yet to take a trip with HFK, although I have taken several to the DR with Kids Alive. I'm hoping to have one out of the country adventure with HFK in 2023.

FUN FACT:

I am passionate about sharing HOPE with His people wherever I am. I am a daily runner and have run 10 marathons.  Recently I have been running through my new neighborhood, pushing 2 of my 3 grandkids. I absolutely love exploring God's glorious country . . . camping, hiking, running.  I am a mountain girl who transplanted in the city in order to be close to family: my daughter Natalie and son Alexander, along with my daughter in love and three grandkids. I also love rollercoasters!

WHO:

In 2015, I had the opportunity to go on three HFK trips with groups of Notre Dame students to Jarabacoa, Dominican Republic. In 2020, I organized a group of young adults to return once again to the Dominican Republic, but sadly was the first group to have a trip canceled in March 2020 due to the COVID pandemic. I graduated from Notre Dame in 2018 with degrees in marketing and theatre. I moved to Indianapolis following graduation for a business fellowship, and I currently lead an Alliances Team at Greenlight Guru, a SaaS tech company empowering medical device companies to develop life-changing devices more effectively and with less risk. My golden retriever puppy and I live on the northside of Indianapolis and will be welcoming Adam, my fiance, come March 2023!

WHY:

I have a passion for global missions and seeing the Gospel spread through service across the globe. Today, there is a lack of awareness of global needs and secondly, a lack of opportunity for individuals to serve globally, especially young adults. Here for Kids' mission is simple, but it is unique and strategic in bridging the gap between needs and resources while, most importantly, changing lives -- both around the globe and in the lives of those who serve. HFK changed my life and outlook on missions, and I am blessed to continue to serve on the board.

FUN FACT:

When not working or tackling my next house project, you can find me planning the next travel adventure, trying out a new recipe, or cheering on the Irish or Indianapolis Colts.

WHO:

I was born and raised in San Jose, CA in 1951 when soccer was not even heard of in the United States.  I was first introduced to, and fell in love with, the sport in a PE Class as a Junior at Pioneer High School which I was the Student Body President for in 1970. My love for the sport continued as I captained the UC Berkeley Varsity team and increased my involvement in growing the sport nationally.  I then completed my Master’s in Physical Education at Cal State Hayward and was hired as the Head Coach of Men’s Varsity Soccer at St. Mary’s College of CA. In 1982, I founded the Women’s Varsity Soccer at St. Mary’s and led them to win national championships in 1984 and 1986.  While directing a youth sports camp in the summer of 1985, a very fateful meeting with a young camper took place which would circle back years later to profoundly change my life’s trajectory.  My “Soccer-centric” life focus was about to be shaken up and displaced by my love of God.

WHY:

GOD! That fateful 1985 encounter was with a 16 yo camper named Leslie Collins (now Trautwein). She “talked God” to me in ways I’d never known. I retired from coaching and transitioned to teaching at St. Mary’s in 1998 and continued to grow and mature in my Christian faith-walk and, in 2004 Leslie informed me she was moving with her family to the Dominican Republic to be a missionary with Kids Alive in the Dominican Republic. I visited, and after 2 summer trips going solo to do amazing clinics with groups of up to 150 Dominican children (yes, alone!), while on the plane returning home in summer 2005, God placed a vision on my heart of sharing the experience with the college students.  On that day, Here For Kids was born into an idea. Here For Kids was established as a registered 501(c)3 and we began to expand to several other campuses doing Spring Break Trips.  I love to see how the college students are impacted by the level of poverty, yet the unbounded love of the children that often morphs into a spiritual, literally life-transforming experience that changes the trajectory of their lives forever.  For many, they “finally find purpose”.

FUN FACT:

If you ever are in a place that has pinball, look at the “High Score” registered on the machine.  If it says, “LUV”, you will know that I (Randy) have been there.

WHO:

I attended Notre Dame and grew a deep desire to help see others flourish. I have worked in corporate healthcare and church leadership in the past. I currently work for Guild Education helping to unlock opportunity for historically underrepresented populations and those working on the front lines in healthcare and retail. 

WHY:

I am involved in HFK because I know the impact that these trips have on participants and the way long term investment supports children in the DR as well. I have less flexibility to go on trips now but love supporting the organization in this way.

FUN FACT:

I love making pottery and cooking paella!

WHO:

I served on my first HFK trip in 2012 to Constanza, Dominican Republic, shortly before graduating from UC Berkeley. Soon after, I joined HFK’s staff and served in the role of Accounts Receivable Coordinator for 10 years! I obtained my Master’s in Public Health from UNC Chapel Hill in 2016, followed by my Registered Dietitian credentials a few months later. All the while, I continued to serve on HFK trips, returning to the DR once or twice a year as well as other locations such as Peru and Costa Rica. However, it wasn’t until the spring of 2016, shortly before finishing my Master’s program, that I felt called to serve as a missionary with our partner organization, Kids Alive International, in the DR. I served as their nutrition program coordinator for 4 years, between 2017-2021, and am now working for a tribal health clinic in Carson City, NV. I transitioned out of my role as Accounts Receivable Coordinator at the end of 2022, but now serve with HFK as a board member.

WHY:

Through my first trip with HFK, God changed my worldview, altered the path I was on, and showed me I was capable of loving others more deeply. Although I had been on short-term service trips before, none impacted me like my trips with HFK. I continue working with HFK with the hope that many lives – both of the young men and women that serve on HFK teams and the children, families, and staff of our partner organizations – can be impacted in the same way mine was: radically transformed by God’s love.

FUN FACT:

In the summer of 2013, when I was living in Peru as a volunteer researcher for a public health project, my research partner and I unknowingly embarked on a hike led by 8 llamas to a height of 12,000 feet. We understood that we would arrive to our destination after a short drive and even shorter walk, so the only thing we had packed to eat with us was water and 1 snack bar, each. Along the way we were fed potatoes cooked in the ground and tea, and we eventually arrived at a small village situated at the bottom of a glacier at 12,000 feet to deliver dental supplies and health education.