Affinity Intern Spotlight: Hannah

March 9, 2022

Hannah VanHoorne, BSW Intern

“My name is Hannah VanHoorne and I am a social work student at Grand Valley State University. I am a motivated, self-driven, and compassionate person with experience in behavioral analysis and mentoring skills. I have found personal benefit in working in schools, hospitals, and therapy centers.”

Hannah spends more of her time in the Burton Mentor Center supporting students and mentors.

Thank you for your service and commitment to Affinity!

Meet our other 2021-2022 intern, Lauren Enos!

Lee Middle School Ribbon Cutting

February 2022

Affinity launches new mentoring programs at two new sites in Godfrey-Lee Public Schools, Godfrey Elementary and Lee Middle School (LMS). In December 2021, we celebrated the opening of LMS with our school partners, mentors, board members, and local chamber representatives (Grand Rapids Chamber and Hispanic Chamber of Commerce). Angela Reyna, former Program Assistant, is now the Lee Middle School Site Coordinator. Keyla Araujo leads both the Early Childhood Center and Elementary mentoring sites.

We are grateful for the support of individual donors, local businesses, and foundations. In 2021, Affinity launched the Middle School Mentoring Steering Committee. The committee gathers input and feedback from middle school students, teachers, parents, and school partners. This information is integral to building the newest middle school mentoring program. One key element is the ability for mentees to CHOOSE their OWN mentor!

Lee Middle School Ribbon Cutting

2022 Community Listening Project

January 3, 2022

Affinity Mentoring is accepting responses for its 2nd Annual Community Listening Project. Responses will be accepted in English and Spanish until January 28, 2022.

The purpose of this survey is to collect feedback, critique, and ideas from mentors, partners, families, and community members. The data will be used to help our team direct our resources and prioritization of projects.

The survey will take approximately 4 minutes. TAKE THE SURVEY

View last year’s responses here.

Affinity Leadership Resignation

January 3, 2022

Affinity Mentoring announces the resignation of Cassandra Kiger as Executive Director. She will transition out of her role in May, 2022. 

“I am choosing to view it as an incredible joy that leaving this position, this team, and this organization is so hard. I can say, without question, that this has been the greatest opportunity for personal and professional learning and growth that I have ever been offered, and that this is the best team that I have been privileged to work beside and learn from. It is with sadness and regret that I prepare to leave, but exciting things are coming as my spouse and I will be moving to Israel where I will be studying at Hebrew University of Jerusalem to obtain an MA in Human Rights and Transitional Justice.”

Affinity’s Board of Directors is conducting a search to find the new executive director [see Job Posting].

Cassandra stepped into the role of Executive Director in the height of the pandemic in May of 2020. Under her leadership, the organization launched a new Mission and Vision, developed and implemented a new 3 Year Strategic Plan, received accreditation as a BBB Charity, opened two new mentoring sites, and strengthened the infrastructure and sustainability of the organization (read more in the 2020-2021 Annual Report).

“Most importantly, I want to make abundantly clear that no single individual leads an organization. Affinity Mentoring is made up of a team of skilled, intelligent, creative, innovative humans whose time and effort each day make our work amazing, and provide desired and needed support in our community. I want to personally thank Rocio, Angela, Keyla, Monica, Holly, and Rachel, as well as our entire board of directors, for putting your trust in me, for not saying no to every crazy new idea, and for putting students, families, and their needs first and foremost in everything we do,” says Cassandra.

“The board of directors are very grateful to Cassandra for her leadership and vision to help bring Affinity Mentoring to new heights, and we wish her well in her next chapter. We will miss her work and what she has brought to Affinity. At the same time, we are confident in the ability of the staff, board members, partners, and volunteers to build upon the great successes Cassandra has helped build and we look forward to what we will accomplish next,” says John Robinson, president of Affinity’s Board of Directors.

Download the Press Release.

View the Executive Director Job Posting and Application.

Welcome, Mayra!

December 31, 2021

Mayra Rodriguez, Office Coordinator

Welcome Mayra Rodriguez, Affinity’s New Office Coordinator!

Mayra has a passion for working with people and has dedicated over 15 years to serving her community in various capacities–from creating community awareness events in the greater Grand Rapids area, volunteering as a Sunday school teacher at her church, to missionary work in Mexico.
Mayra is the owner and creative mind behind May Bella Photography and loves bringing smiles to the faces of those she photographs. Mayra is always looking for opportunities to learn and grow her skills. She is currently working towards  gaining more knowledge in the communication and human behavior realm.
Mayra is an aspiring writer and is working on her very first book as well as becoming a motivational speaker. Besides the passion she has for her community, Mayra enjoys  spending time with her family, singing, photography, arts and crafts, meditation, and traveling.

Welcome to the team, Mayra!