It’s rare and refreshing to meet someone who so thoroughly knows herself and purpose.
Kristen Alonzi, a senior at Eastern Michigan University, has been committed to service work since her early teens. Working on a major in special education with a focus on cognitive impairment and a minor in health education, Alonzi will also graduate with a certificate in nonprofit administration in 2012.
“Most likely I’ll teach,” Alonzi, 22, said. “Over time I’d like to see myself work in the non-profit sector and doing missions – so, short-term teach, long-term missions.” It’s not obvious at first how much more there is to the story because she doesn’t put it in your face. In August, Alonzi went to Guatemala for a week of mission work through Pray America, where she helped build houses for widows. Her experience made a lasting impression, and the extent of her compassion stretches even further.
“It was an incredible gift,” she said of the trip, the gratitude being her own. “Learning about strong democracies and citizenship (in class, and) having such a positive experience in Guatemala – makes me want to feel angered by injustice. I’m just trying to be really open-minded and learn a lot.” Alonzi started volunteering during her sophomore year in high school and already knew she wanted to work in special education. By her junior year she started Links, a peer-mentoring program where students spend one-on-one class time with special needs students.
On top of working with fellow students, Alonzi volunteered at Special Ministries of Livingston County for three years before joining the nonprofit’s staff more than four years ago. As a teen she participated in four annual service weeks in Detroit, serving local organizations and contributing manual labor, once as a service leader.
What motivates such a strikingly ambitious individual?
“Everything I’ve always wanted to do involves serving people,” Alonzi said. “The Christian answer was I just felt led. I love advocacy and hands-on service with people with disabilities.”
At Special Ministries, Alonzi teaches a cooking class, contributes marketing posters and scrapbooks and plans the United Way Day of Caring. The Day of Caring is a field day for adults with disabilities, holding activities including softball, relay races and karaoke.
Presently, Alonzi plans to pursue an internship with the Center for Independent Living, which will count toward her EMU program requirements. She is also considering going to Guatemala again with her husband.
“We’ve also talked about Africa and Central America,” Alonzi said. “The service thing is something we always talk about.”
As far as advice goes, her philosophy is straight-forward: Do what you can.
“One thing is not to be like ‘I can’t get off work’ or ‘Can’t get the money’ – you can’t get wrapped up in your fears,” Alonzi said. “Even small service like buying fair trade coffee or donating blood, it can only benefit you.”
