3 Years at Kent Youth and Family Services

Essays
Written By Nathan Box

Journal: February 2014

In three years at Kent Youth and Family Services, we've raised $387,535.02. That's enough money to...

Provide After School homework help. tutoring, sports and mentoring to 123 youth.

Offer dynamic Youth, Family and Substance Abuse Counseling to 61 families.

Ensure a world class education for 7 Head Start and ECEAP students.

Give a place to call "home" at Watson Manor to 6 homeless teenage moms and their children.

I am proud of the work we do at KYFS. At times, as the Fund Developer and Community Relations Manager, I can feel removed from the mission. I don't get to help with homework. I see clients only in passing. I miss out on the moment when a child's creativity sparks and they are confronted with how fun learning is. I am never there when a mom feels relief and safe.

But I raise money and I proselytize. I feel like I contribute. More importantly, for my own self, I feel like I am making a difference. That's all I ever wanted. My life has never been about chasing money or ensuring stock holders are satisfied. My life is dedicated to my fellow man. Their strength is my strength.

Thanks for entering my world,

-Nathan

Nathan Box
Hello! My name is Nathan. I've always believed I would meet that special someone in one of two places; either a record store or a book store. Maybe I need to amend? I moved to Seattle in February of 2011 from Oklahoma City (Try and not hold the Sonics/Thunder thing against me). I knew I wanted to work for a nonprofit and go to grad school. Within a couple of months, I was doing both. During the day, I work as a Fund Developer and Community Relations Manager for a nonprofit in Kent and at night I try to stay as busy as possible volunteering, trying new restaurants, finding hidden bars and exploring Seattle. The past few years has been both terrifying and exhilarating. I have done things on my own I didn’t think were within my capability. I love being outdoors. On any given weekend, I can be found hiking, on a road trip, volunteering, at a museum, seeing a movie (I see a lot of them). I am passionate about nonprofit work. I feel called to leave a mark on this world. Nothing against those who enjoy making tons of money, I just need to know I am making a difference.
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