The HALO Headquarters is based in Kansas City, Missouri. HALO was founded in Kansas City in June 2005.  The first HALO event was created by a group of martial arts students at Kids2Leaders in Lee’s Summit, Missouri.  They raised more than $5,000 for an orphanage in Mexico, and the next event they put on with other area Kansas City schools raised $40,000.  This event and others made it possible for us to grow from supporting education for an orphanage in Mexico to fully supporting 46 children in India, three orphanages in Kenya, programs in Uganda, and local programs.  HALO Kansas City recently opened for at-risk and foster youth.  We are very excited about our growth and look forward to bringing more children off the streets.

Kansas City ArtReach Auction

The 7th Annual Kansas City ArtReach Auction held Friday, May 4th at Studio Dan Meiners was a total success! Thank you to all who attended. Stay tuned for the final total amount of money raised to support 11 international homes and two domestic programs.

Sponsored by:

 

 

2012 Ambassador Board:

HALO is organized internally with specific departments, which include Operations, Marketing, Business Development, Finance and Events. The following are the department members meeting specific needs within the organization. Each team is led by an Ambassador Department Leader.

Leadership

Lacy Voight, Program Director and Ambassador Board Co-Chair

Nicole Gerken, Director of Operations and Ambassador Board Co-Chair

Chelsea Herzberg, The HALO Learning Center Director

Operations

Jessica Morgan: Volunteer Division of Operations Department Leader

Marketing: Overall Support

Kyle Helms, Marketing Department Leader

Lance Barker, Video Producer

Marketing: Branding

Jennifer Grammer, Brand Team Division of Marketing Team Department Leader

Maggie Miller, Lead Graphic Designer

Casey McFarlane, Merchandise

Business Development

Amanda Owen: Grants Division of Business Development Department Leader

Finance

John Christensen: Finance Department Leader

Heather Mitchell, Accounting

Events

Brooke Kuntz, Events Department Leader

Kristy Mathes, ArtReach Auction Co-Chair

Lisa Fasone, ArtReach Auction Co-Chair

Heather McKinney, Dance For Change Chair

 

Ambassador Board Background

HALO was started with a group of 10 volunteers who had an extreme commitment to making a difference in lives of children in need. These individuals each took on a responsibility and assured that HALO’s potential was reached in that arena. By structuring HALO this way, we were able to support more than120 children at 4 large orphanages. This means each person was supporting 12 children with their efforts. This is still the case today. As we have grown, it has become necessary that we have 2.5 paid employees in the HALO office since we are supporting 13 programs around the world. Our Ambassador Board currently accounts for 4 full-time paid positions, which at $30,000 would be $120,000. That amount supports 5 orphanages, or 120 children. This means that the average HALO KC Ambassador is supporting 8 children. Our structure sets us apart from other non-profits, which is why we are able to stretch our dollars so far. It also gives volunteers a true opportunity to make a profound impact with their skills, grow, and be part of a team or family of like-minded people committed to doing good. Unfortunately, having this structure also means that when one of our team members or “departments” doesn’t show up or backs out of a commitment, the children we support are affected. If you think about how businesses run, they have departments. These departments collectively make the business a success. Without accounting, bills don’t get paid. Without marketing, nobody knows what the company does. This is why your position is important. You are our department heads. Without you, our company doesn’t reach its potential. We may be able to pick up the pieces, but we won’t reach our potential, which for us means helping additional children. Our theory has always been if we are helping just one child, just one life, all our work is worth it. YOU help us reach eight plus that one more on the horizon. When you think about what a volunteer truly is to HALO, think about the children. You are giving a chance to 8 children around the world. Not just a chance. A family. When you consider being a part of the Ambassador Board, be honest with yourself about your level of commitment. We would be thrilled to have you as a department head. This is a lot of responsibility. If it is too much for you, please don’t hesitate to take a role of less commitment. We need 15 committed department heads who are willing to show-up and help us reach our full potential so we may reach one more child.

If interested in applying to be on the Ambassador Board, please contact nicolegerken@haloworldwide.org. The next application opportunity for 2013 annual term is December 3, 2012.

Additional Headquarters Support:

Josh Fry, Director of Video Design and Production

Karina Ginavan, Designer at OU Creative

Drew Angell, Web Developer at Angell Eye

Interns:

Andrea Steere, Chenin Pecora – Winter/Spring Marketing Interns

Zahir Karim – Social Enterprise Intern

Hannah Meador – Event Planner Intern

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To apply for an internship, please contact Nicole Gerken at nicolegerken@haloworldwide.org.

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To volunteer or to learn more about supporting HALO Kansas City, contact Jessica Morgan at volunteer@haloworldwide.org or call 816.472.4256.