Maia Ardoin

Responsibilities

Collaborate as a team to plan and execute large-scale youth outreaches: - Be an active participant in event set-up and tear-down. - Take initiative to facilitate event activities and display the Gospel in an engaging way. - Prepare for events by:  Communicating with contacts via phone, email, and mail  Creating plans and gathering materials for the events’ activities  Purchasing all necessary supplies and habitually assessing inventory  Canvassing the communities to further promote events  Seek to develop relationships with children and families met at Freedom Quest events through games, crafts, stories, and more, all with the Gospel incorporated at the heart of the outreach and within the conversations had.  Serve as an advocate for Freedom for Youth, sharing the organization’s vision of reaching youth across Iowa with the Gospel with families, children, and leaders in the communities.  Work alongside Freedom for Youth staff to organize information gained in each community, such as communications and engagements with families, local businesses, churches, and volunteer contacts.  Assist Outreach and Community Connections Coordinator in developing a plan to continue work in each community.  Provide assistance with summer programs as needed to increase understanding of the programs that Freedom Quest works to communicate and start.

Accomplishments

Planning a sports & faith event for the middle school program which consisted of communicating and building relationships with college athletes from a variety of sports and many conversations with other staff members regarding all of the other details.

Learning experience

Go into situations with a willing heart to try something new because you will learn a lot, whether you like that new experience or not. I also learned not to get caught up in the idea of bigger is better, be excited about the small accomplishments too.

What advice would you give?

Dont hold yourself back until you think you know what you want to do in the future, take as many opportunities as you can to grow as an individual and as a professional. Taking advantage of those opportunities will help you know what direction you want to go.