It’s with a touch of sadness that we announce that our incredible volunteer coordinator, McKenzie Rhoades, will be transitioning to a new role, with her last day being May 9th. McKenzie, your dedication and warmth have truly touched us all. You’ve built such strong connections and your commitment to our mission has been unwavering. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your remarkable service and the lasting impact you’ve made at FROM. We’ll miss you dearly!

Message from McKenzie:

Well, I won’t sugarcoat it—my last day will be May 9, 2025.

Now, when Wendie hires people, she jokingly asks for a two-year notice when they leave. I know this isn’t quite that but consider this my official two-week notice (and yes, the two-year notice is a joke… but not really—ha-ha!). This decision was not made lightly. FROM has been a meaningful part of my life for nearly 20 years.

Since moving to East Lansing in March 2024, the commute has been long, and I’m ready to reclaim some of that time to be closer to home. On top of that, I’m thrilled to share that I got engaged earlier this April to my wonderful fiancé, Ben! Life is moving forward, and I’m looking forward to what’s ahead.

First, I want to say thank you— Thank you for investing your time, wisdom, and energy in me. Thank you for allowing me to grow alongside you. Thank you for welcoming me into your FROMily, just as I’ve seen you do for the 166 new volunteers, I’ve had the privilege of onboarding since I began in August 2023.

It has been an incredible journey, and being part of this volunteer community has shown me firsthand the power of collective compassion. You’ve shared your stories, your struggles, your wins—and you’ve trusted me to walk alongside you in those moments. That’s a gift I don’t take lightly.

My hope for each of you is that you never lose sight of the impact you’re making. I know some days feel overwhelming. Space is tight. The work is constant. But what you do matters deeply. You are building a stronger, kinder community every single day. Please, take a moment every now and then to give yourself some credit—you’ve earned it.

As for what’s next, I’ll be joining Peckham, Inc. in Lansing as a Mentor Specialist for young adults in their work programs. I’m incredibly excited about this opportunity to keep learning and growing—both professionally and personally.

FROM has been a part of my story for as long as I can remember, and that won’t end here. You haven’t seen the last of me.

I don’t do goodbyes—so let’s call this a “see you later.”

With gratitude and love,

McKenzie Rhoades

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