Meet Kae Brown, Volunteer Engagement Manager
Like most non-profits, much of our work here at Maryland New Directions is made possible by our volunteers. We are fortunate to have a large pool of dedicated volunteers, and we are forever grateful to these generous individuals who dedicate their time and talents to help our clients along their career journeys. Recruiting, organizing, and managing our volunteers is a big job, and MND recently welcomed Karlise “Kae” Brown as our volunteer engagement manager. We asked Kae a few questions to get to know her better, and to learn more about the volunteer opportunities she is working on:
What are your biggest responsibilities as MND’s volunteer engagement manager?
I recruit volunteers to help move our bottom line forward. And at MND, our bottom line is helping people. So my biggest responsibility is recruiting people in Maryland who are willing to help our MND clients get to the next step in their lives and careers.
You joined MND in June 2022. What drew you to this position?
I recently got married, and in the process, I moved from Pennsylvania to Baltimore and started looking for work in the area. I knew I didn’t enjoy working in the corporate sector and wanted to work for a nonprofit organization. I’ve never liked when the bottom line is money; I like when the bottom line is helping people. I began my career as a trained writer, but in my previous position in Pa., I had the opportunity to work for a new nonprofit focused on promoting health for minority girls and women. I helped with a lot of community outreach and helped plan citywide health events. And that’s how I was introduced to this type of work.
I learned about MND and this position through a friend, and in my research, I learned that MND is dedicated to impacting people’s lives. It’s about more than just finding someone a job, but helping that person holistically. It’s work that really counts for something, which is just what I was looking for. Everything aligned perfectly.
How many volunteers does MND have, and what kinds of volunteer opportunities do you have?
We currently have about 55 volunteers, and I have a goal of recruiting five new volunteers every month. We are always looking for volunteers to help with our Mock Interviews event each month, and also to help clients with their resumes, cover letters, and job searches in our computer lab, among other opportunities.
You are revamping MND’s internship program – can you tell us about that?
At MND, we are in the process of bringing back an internship program for our clients who have finished their training program but need a bit more professional mentoring and experience before getting hired. The program would allow clients to work for a few weeks in our office, before transitioning to an internship with one of our community partner organizations. This will allow these clients to build up several months of work experience to add to their resumes and job applications. I am busy building the program now, and I hope to be able to roll it out and begin recruiting clients for internships by the end of the year.
Does MND have internship opportunities for college students or other youth who aren’t clients?
One of my goals is to find a way to get college students and younger people more involved in our volunteer program. I would especially love to have younger volunteers to work with our younger clients because I believe messages are often better received when they come from your peers. Also, I think students would benefit from being exposed to non-profit work at a younger age, and MND would benefit from building relationships with young people who can grow with the organization.
What has your experience been like with MND so far?
I’m really happy to be a part of this team. I really enjoy the creative space and leeway I’ve been given to learn and grow. And I am often, if not always, impressed by everyone’s willingness to step up and lend a helping hand whenever needed.
