As we end the year and start planning for 2025, we wanted to reintroduce ourselves and let you know the staff behind the program you support:
Alicia D. Crudup
Alicia D. Crudup is a seasoned executive with extensive experience in youth development, community development, and engagement. Alicia is dedicated to fostering connections among individuals and communities while promoting inclusive practices. Her passion for learning and growth drives her commitment to serving others, embodying the principles of servant leadership in all her endeavors. With a proven track record of impactful initiatives, Alicia strives to create environments where everyone feels valued and empowered to contribute. Her work not only enhances community cohesion but also inspires others to engage in meaningful dialogue and action toward change.
Jerod Petersen
Jerod is a Licensed Graduate Social Worker (LGSW) on staff, and has been with Kids ‘n Kinship since 2018. Prior to joining the Kids ‘n Kinship family, he was on staff at the founding Kinship affiliate, Kinship Of Greater Twin Cities. Jerod worked there with several positions and titles from 2010 – 2018. Jerod has some mentoring experience himself and meaningful youth work prior at Urban Immersion Service Retreats, an after school program while at Luther Seminary. These experiences have provided his drive to invest in the great work of creating and curating intergenerational connections that make our community stronger. Volunteering is a passion of giving, and why not have a blast and stay young while being altruistic! Mentoring is just as fulfilling as it is inspiring, and Jerod’s glad to have had a front row seat all these years, keeping witness to so many amazing and meaningful connections!
Kara Rasmussen
Kara’s coming up on her one-year anniversary as Program Coordinator with Kids ‘n Kinship. Kara came to Kids ‘n Kinship with a background in Social Work and over 20 years of experience working and volunteering with children and families. Kara is grateful to be serving in the community where she lives. For the past 19 years, Kara and her husband have raised their three young adult children in Apple Valley. Kara believes in the power and beauty of a community that builds into its young people!
Silas Means, Jr.
Silas has been with Kids ‘n Kinship for about a year and a half, serving as the Recruitment Coordinator. Bringing a lifelong passion for mentorship and community engagement, Silas draws on his experience participating in and volunteering with mentoring programs since the age of 13. In his role, he focuses on connecting caring adult mentors with young people, helping them build meaningful relationships that foster growth and empowerment. Silas is dedicated to creating opportunities that make a lasting impact in the lives of youth and their mentors.
Moriah Peterson
Moriah has been on staff with Kids ‘n Kinship for 5 years. She first started as the Recruitment Coordinator/Project Manager. During COVID, her role shifted to the Kinship Coordinator, overseeing the screening process, matches being made and maintaining matches going forward. It was such a rewarding job, but a lot of evening and odd hours. After having her first child, that schedule didn’t work for her family, so she transitioned to the Program Specialist primarily focusing on the screening portion for volunteers and kids. She believes in the work of out of school programs, as she has come from working in schools and saw how kids’ needs weren’t always being met due to student teacher ratio. She is very thankful for programs like Kids ‘n Kinship that empowers kids to believe in themselves.
Kerry Stok
Kerry’s been a project manager with Kids ‘n Kinship for 2.5 years. Prior to Kids ‘n Kinship, Kerry held several account services and project management positions in advertising agencies, college campuses and corporate but she feels very fortunate to have landed at an organization that she feels is making a real impact on the community. Kerry believes that volunteers will change the world which is why she volunteers at the 360 Communities food shelf every week and loves supporting the amazing work the volunteers in our program do as well.