Hey everyone, meet Lisa. She’s a exceptionally selfless woman. When she visits Roots it’s with residents of David’s House or friends from Capernaum YoungLife. She does amazing work and always brings a party to the shop. We sat down and asked her a few questions.
Sum yourself up in two sentences
My name is Lisa. I am striving to be an advocate for all people.
What is your favorite memory?
Jay and I invited a bunch of our Capernaum friends to our wedding. At the reception, during the father daughter dance, Kendal, one of our Capernaum friends, could not help but join in. She ran out on the dance floor and joined my dad and I in our dance. It’s definitely one of my favorite memories.
If you were a drink at Roots, what would you be and why?
I think I’d probably be either hot chocolate or mocha because they’re chocolately and cozy.
What is something you have always wanted to try but have been too afraid to?
In YoungLife, I always wanted to be on programs; onstage in skits and talent shows. However, I was recently the host with Liza Fongers at the Capernaum’s Got Talent Show. I’ve always enjoyed hosting so I think to host a really big event would be great. I’ve also wanted to try kickboxing for a long time and my sister and I are finally doing it!
What is the biggest risk you’ve ever taken?
Probably getting married! That’s a big decision, it’s the biggest decision I’ve made thus far in my life.
What was your most embarrassing moment?
I worked at SpringHill for one summer. It was the first week of being at camp and you’re meeting everyone for the first time. There is no laundry at camp so you have to go to town and do your laundry at the laundromat. There was a big group of us in town hanging out at the laundromat doing our laundry. I was switching my clothes over from the washer to the dryer when this guy came walking up spraying down the machines and washing them. He walked up to the machine I had just used and started to clean it. He pauses, leans in to look, and then pulls out a pair of underwear. It’s summer camp so of course I have a crush on every boy I’m around that day. The guy walks over to our group and asks if the underwear belongs to anyone. My face is bright red! It’s obvious they are mine and that it’s underwear but I chose to respond by saying loudly, “Oh! Yes, that is my sock. Thank you!” And no one ever said anything about it. Yup, that was embarrassing.
What is your profession?
I am a program coordinator at David’s House Ministry. I plan activities and outings for residents who live there. I started working at David’s House right out of high school. In college I studied therapeutic recreation and became more passionate about improving the quality of life with recreation and those types of activities. All the while I worked at David’s House and kept thinking of ways I could implement what I was learning. A position eventually opened and I got the job as program coordinator. I’ve worked there for six and half years. I love the people there and have a type of family with them.
Click Here for more info about David’s House Ministries.
What is your best childhood memory?
Probably any time that I was at Camp Roger. I went to camp for nine years.
What is your strongest personal quality?
Either how emotional I am or how loyal I am. People have often told me I am loyal to a fault. Almost every personality test I’ve taken always puts me on the far side of emotion in the emotion vs. logic. I think that can be a good thing, but also have its challenges. But I like that about myself.
What is your favorite thing about Roots?
I planned a Grand Rapids coffee tour for David’s House and every Friday we would visit a different coffee shop. We visited about four different shops before we came to Roots. I’m not completely sure I can put words to what we experienced. Most of the tables here are easy to use with a wheelchair, it’s much easier to move around, everyone who works here is wonderful, and patient, and helpful. There is a level of understanding here for us that there isn’t everywhere else. Sometimes the behavior of some of our residents can seem embarrassing, like when Matt yells or Jim is up at the counter trying to get another cup of coffee with no money. It shouldn’t be embarrassing though and people should be willing to help out. Here at Roots you do a really good job of that. All other David’s House staff have said the same thing. We actually have not gone to another coffee shop in almost a year. We just keep coming back to Roots, we love it here. It’s a very special place.
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