Jorge - Staff Spotlight Series
We created this Staff Spotlight Series to give our HFK Family the opportunity to learn more about our team and the work they do behind the scenes. Check out Jorge’s interview below!
Jorge Velasco
Donations Coordinator
1) How did you first learn about HFK and what attracted you to HFK’s work?
While I was at SMC I was taking a quarter credit indoor soccer class in 2010/2011 and HFK’s founder, Randy Farris, was leading it. While in class, I overheard people talking about playing soccer in the Dominican Republic and it caught my attention because I had never been to the DR and I love playing soccer!
What I didn't realize at the time, was how much of an impact the trip was going to have on my life!
2) What do you do in your role with HFK and what is your favorite part of it?
Currently as Donations Coordinator I am responsible for coordinating donation pick ups and drop offs, organizing donations, and assisting teams on an as needed basis in preparation for their trips.
What I enjoy most is connecting with new people, sharing about HFK, and interacting with HFK team participants. It brings me joy to know that these donations are going to serve a greater purpose when delivered to our partners abroad.
3) What have been your biggest accomplishments for you in your role?
Since I began serving with Here for Kids knowing that we've been able to serve our partners with so many donations and our time feels like our greatest accomplishment.
4) Apart from your role in HFK, what else are you involved in?
I am a member of a public oversight committee for the Oakland Fund For Children and Youth.
5) How would you like to reconnect with HFK alumni?
Local Service events would probably be the easiest way in which Alumni could connect with HFK and network with each other. A few times a year, we host Service Days where alumni can come help us sort donations, hopefully you can join the next one!
6) What is something you’d like others to know about HFK that they might not know?
We'd be happy to organize local service opportunities and partner with you locally, not only trips abroad.
Lastly, here is some information many of you don’t know. We started tracking our physical donation contributions in July 2021. Since then, we have sent 63 bags equaling over 3,000 lbs of donations!
This number doesn’t include any additional donations gathered and taken by our trip participants, this just includes items that have been donated to HFK, sorted by our team, and taken on our trips. Thank you for your support, we are always in need of school supplies, sports equipment, and lightly used clothes!
