Jen Janssen
/Volunteer of the Month
CFNA volunteers truly work as hands and feet of the body of Christ. They sacrifice their time and energy and use their experience and talents to help make disciples of all nations. Jen Janssen is one shining example of such a volunteer. For the past eight years, she has served as a teacher in our After School Tutoring program, along with her two children Ben and Addie. She now serves as a role model for other volunteers.
Jen was born and raised in St. Louis. After attending Lutheran High School South, she attended Valparaiso University and earned a degree in English with a minor in secondary education. She then taught English to children at the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota, Westover School in Middlebury Connecticut, and Denver Lutheran High School. She now homeschools her children. Using her teaching experience, she creates an organized, fun environment and incorporates game-based learning activities into After School Tutoring.
Jen said the most rewarding thing about volunteering with CFNA has been cultivating relationships with many people of different backgrounds. Most challenging is the ever-changing landscape of the students they serve. Once she feels she has mastered teaching one group of students, another group with different needs and skills arrives. She encourages potential volunteers to come once, or come every week, but to give themselves and their children a chance to experience a different world, the great big world God has created.
Jen is most grateful for this service and witness opportunity. If you would like to join her and others, please contact Heather McDermott at hmcdermott@cfna-stl.org.
By Heather Bozarth
CFNA Communications Associate