Big Transitions
After saying goodbye to a group of high school graduates this spring, Educate Youth is also saying goodbye to Kendall Johnstone, our Communications Director.
Kendall came to Educate Youth in early 2021 from the Communication department at Eastern Michigan University to complete her senior Capstone. Shortly after starting her project, she began working at the Clubhouse as a tutor once a week.
Once a week turned into twice for the rest of the 2020-21 academic year, and an opportunity to chaperone an HBCU trip to Washington DC. In the 2021-22 year, twice a week turned into three days a week, two of which she would stop helping students with their classes a bit early to drive back to EMU to take her own graduate classes. 3 days a week eventually became 5, just in time for the 2022 summer and 2022-23 after school programs.
At the start of 2023, Kendall began transitioning into the role of Communications Director and Grant Writer, and fully jumped in in April after earning Master's degrees in Communication and Nonprofit Management. Out of the many hats she wore at Educate Youth, this was her favorite, giving the opportunity to utilize her education, work with students and of course, create things in Canva.
This Fall, Kendall will be attending Bowling Green State University to pursue a PhD in Media and Communication with a concentration in Interpersonal Communication, taking the next step towards her goal of becoming a Professor and Department Chair. This is a goal that Educate Youth has been instrumental in not only helping her define, but also work towards over the past few years.
Kendall is thankful for both the privilege of being welcomed into the lives of those she has met at Educate Youth, and the role they have played in hers. Circle, trips to the park and Dairy Queen, and losing many 1 v 1 games of basketball with students are just a few of the memories she leaves holding close to her heart. Her experience at the Clubhouse can best be summed up with a quote from Winnie the Pooh; "How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard."
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