Category: New Team Member

Affinity Appoints New Executive Director

By Rachel Humphreys

Affinity Mentoring’s Board of Directors has named Cassandra Kiger the new Executive Director. Cassandra will begin Wednesday, May 20, 2020.

Cassandra has dedicated her career to advocating for equitable opportunities for youth in settings with refugee and immigrant youth, in child sexual abuse prevention, and in education support. She has her Master of Social Work from Grand Valley State University and brings a decade of experience in program development and management; research and data utilization; development and sustainability work; and diversity, equity and inclusion training, programming and leadership to the team.

Cassandra leans into the quote from Lilla Watson, an Indigenous Australian artist and activist, “[i]f you have come to help me you are wasting your time, but if you have come because your liberation is bound up in mine, then let us work together.” 

Cassandra believes, “Every person within our community brings valuable history, experience, knowledge and expertise to contribute to making our community great, from the youngest to the oldest. I want to work at Affinity to have a greater opportunity to work together with my neighbors, working towards our mutual liberation, and equitably contributing towards a bright and prosperous future.”

Cassandra is prepared to support Affinity in moving forward as an agent of equitable change, focused on the communities in our city that have systematically received less resources and support, and participate in a movement towards integrated diversity, equity and inclusion in our city. This includes a future oriented lens that supports quality, equitable education for the diverse student body that will one day become our local community members and workforce as they learn and grow today.

Cassandra strongly believes in uplifting youth in a supportive network, “the students that Affinity works with are not future leaders, they are leaders today, and I am excited to galvanize the community to support their growth and help them build a prosperous and healthy future for our city,” she explains.

Her past experience includes providing language access services to the community at Hispanic Center of Western Michigan, building system and policy level equity initiatives at the Children’s Advocacy Center in Ottawa County, and supporting refugee and immigrant youth as a Case Manager at Bethany Christian Services.

Cassandra is a homeowner and active participant in the 49507 Garfield Park neighborhood. She is excited to work alongside local residents and schools to support equitable growth and change through Affinity Mentoring. In her free time she enjoys playing soccer in the GR Champs League, reading, urban gardening, salsa dancing, and snuggling with her spouse and puppy. 

Help us in welcoming Cassandra to the Affinity family! You can contact her at ckiger@affinitymentoring.org.

Meet New Team Member: Keyla

Keyla Araujo, Godfrey-Lee ECC Site Coordinator

We are thrilled to welcome the newest member to the Affinity family, Keyla Araujo! Keyla recently accepted the position as Site Coordinator at Affinity’s newest school partner, Godfrey-Lee Early Childhood Center (ECC). She brings a broad experience of community engagement and volunteer coordination.

Keyla is bilingual in Spanish/English, has experience coordinating programs and volunteers through her church’s Family Leadership Initiative and other programs. She’s an active community member who has been connected at Godfrey-Lee ECC for some time. In her spare time, she likes to work on her garden, get involved in her church, and spend time with her husband and four children.

Please join us in welcoming Keyla and celebrating the opening of our 4th site by attending our upcoming Ribbon Cutting Ceremony!

Date: Wednesday, August 14
Time: 3:30pm
Location: Godfrey-Lee ECC (961 Joosten St SW, Wyoming, MI 49509)

Meet Our New Interns!


Amy LaNoue | MSW Intern

Amy is working towards a Master’s in Social Work from Grand Valley State University. After completing her undergraduate degree in Psychology from Michigan State University, Amy moved to Quito, Ecuador, where she became fluent in Spanish and developed an interest in social justice.

Since returning to West Michigan, she has worked as a foster care case manager for Unaccompanied Children. In her free time, Amy enjoys hikes with her golden retriever and cooking new recipes.

Marjory Clay | Community Relations Intern

Marjory will be interning with us for the summer semester. She is currently a senior at Grand Valley State University, pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies, with a minor in Public Relations and Advertising. She is looking forward to learning how non-profit organizations function, and how to effectively communicate the mission of Affinity with potential and existing supporters.

Her goal is to one day become a communications director for a non-profit organization, or an advertiser in the music industry. When she is not working or in school, she enjoys creating, being outside, listening to music, practicing yoga, traveling, and spending time with friends, family and her two kitties.

Affinity Welcomes New Interns!

Welcome Ariel and Annalise! 
This week we welcomed the newest members to our team, Ariel Simaz and Annalise Piazza!

Ariel Simaz 
Ariel will be interning with us for the fall and winter semesters. She is earning a Bachelor’s of Social Work from Grand Valley State University. She’s looking forward to learning the ins and outs of running a mentoring program and is hoping to gain more nonprofit management skills.

Her goal is to one day become a camp director for youth and/or adults with special needs to utilize adventure therapy. When she’s not in class or at work she enjoys camping, rock climbing, hiking, reading, DIY projects, traveling, and eating.

Welcome to to the Affinity family Ariel!

Annalise Piazza
Annalise is a senior at Calvin College, double majoring in Social Work and French. She will be primarily working at our Burton site helping match students, administer surveys, and support the Mentor Center!

She loves working with kids and is looking forward to watching students form strong bonds with their mentors. Her goal is to gain more experience in the Social Work field and later return to school for her Master’s. Outside of school, Anna loves sharing life with friends, co-leading Calvin Dance Marathon, and investing in her church.

Be sure to stop by the Mentor Center to say hi!