Kathi Meding is no beginner when it comes to service to others. In fact, her life has been embedded in finding agencies and a career that fits with her desire to help.
In her years as a young mother she was the Director of Health & Fitness at a YMCA in New Jersey and while traveling on a trip to Africa representing the Y, she was contacted and offered the Executive Director position. She accepted, and upon her return, she never looked back while moving the YMCA in Ridgewood forward to new bounds. Throughout her long tenure, she witnessed and led her team through many changes, continuously adapting to the needs of the community and fostering agency partnerships along the way. She humbly discusses the board of directors she worked closely with, sharing that their individual and collective perspective kept the Y’s mission at the forefront for all decision making.
She retired in 2010 but didn’t sit still for long as she embarked on teaching English to adult language learners focused on preparing immigrants for the U.S. Citizenship test.
In her interview she shares heartfelt feelings of pride for the many adult students she has built relationships with through her tutoring while watching and encouraging their pathways to personal and professional success.
In addition, she is a trained Hospice volunteer working with terminally ill patients supporting them with their health journey. She builds relationships with each person based on their needs and embraces them with her compassionate approach to care. Kathi also volunteers with The Village in Hartford, CT working to build a better future for children.
In her storytelling, you’ll hear her quick wit, warm sense of humor and passionate approach to service is nothing short of extraordinary.