Staff Spotlight: June 2015
Meet the newest additions to After Opps, Life Shop, and full-time Administrative team!
Ellen Goldrick
Oak Park (“South S-i-i-y-e-e-d”), IL
Die-Hard Participant of OK Classic & Other OK Events; Newest Full Time Employee to Join Administrative Team as Administrative Specialist
What do you do at/for Opportunity Knocks?
My previous title was administrative assistant but I’m now an administrative specialist. I perform bookkeeping duties as well as many other administrative and organizational tasks. I’ve participated in every OK Classic since they began as well as some other fantastic events and I do it because I love it. Simple as that.
What is your favorite Opportunity Knocks memory?
It’s hard to pick just one, but, for now, I’ll say it was when Mike, Kim and the Warriors were playing Just Dance on the Wii- I still have footage of it if anyone would like to see!
Who inspires you? Why?
Many people inspire me both inside and outside of OK from my family and friends to my coworkers and the Warriors, but again if I had to pick one for now, I’d say Kathy Garrigan. I think of her often when I work here (it’s hard not to as that great smile of hers is everywhere) and of the great things she was doing up in Alaska.
What do you know more about or enjoy more than most people?
I’m not sure if you could say I know more than most about it, but I definitely geek out over it, and that is a good Karaoke session. I’m also a huge fan of Jeopardy and look forward to beating Joe Hart in a match some day.
What is your perfect pizza?
Salerno’s thick crust sausage. YUM.
You are given unlimited resources to create something for Opportunity Knocks. What would you create?
Definitely our first official Warrior offices and program facility- the RFCC has been a wonderful place to call home, but it would be nice to have a bit more space, though I’m not sure I could have my own desk as I’ve really grown accustomed to sharing with Des.
Sam Kehoe
Lagrange Park, IL
Works with Students w/ Disabilities at a Therapeutic Day School; New Full Time Employee, Now a Member of the Life Shop Team & Coordinator of Volunteers
What do you do at/for Opportunity Knocks? Why do you do it?
Program staff/leader for After Opps; Community Opportunities (CO). I liked doing CO because I think it’s amazing to be a part of a community and to give back to that community.
What is your favorite Opportunity Knocks memory?
Too many! I always love family dinner. I enjoyed the time we got to visit puppies and I also really liked when we got to go on a frank Lloyd Wright architecture tour.
Who inspires you? Why?
The warriors and my students for overcoming obstacles every day to do what most people take for granted.
What do you know more about or enjoy more than most people?
Music, poetry, and art.
What is your perfect pizza?
Thin crust, cheese.
You are given unlimited resources (financial, consulting, and personnel) to create something for Opportunity Knocks. What would you create?
Maybe create some kind of communication program that aids non verbal or partially verbal warriors to communicate w/verbal warriors and vice versa, getting everyone to learn some augmented communication tools so everyone can communicate w/each other regardless of specific needs.
Steve Compere
Oak Park, IL
Background in Secondary Education, Physical Education
What do you do at/for Opportunity Knocks? Why do you do it?
I’m a Program Leader [and have] led Rock Climbing, Bikes and Trikes, Gameshow, and Music and Dance. I do this because Opportunity Knocks is an awesome place to be.
What is your favorite Opportunity Knocks memory?
My favorite memory so far is seeing the excitement from participants after they were successful climbing the rock wall.
Who inspires you? Why?
Friends and Family. They always want the best for me, which pushes me to try hard in everything that I do.
What do you know more about or enjoy more than most people?
I know a lot about sports and music. I tend to geek out about those. I am also obsessed with the band Muse and video games. That is all.
What is your perfect pizza?
Any pizza that can be dipped in ranch.
You are given unlimited resources to create something for Opportunity Knocks. What would you create?
I would try to go on as many trips as possible.
Serena Smith
Oak Park, IL
Accounting Student and Recipient of OK’s 2015 Program Volunteer of the Year Award
What do you do at/for Opportunity Knocks? Why do you do it?
I am Staff for Opportunity Knocks’ After Opps Program. I mostly work [one-on-one], assisting [a participant] throughout activities. I chose to be here because I enjoy observing and learning how each Warrior conquers their disability.
What is your favorite Opportunity Knocks memory?
My favorite Opportunity Knocks memory is participating as a volunteer last year in “Bootcamp”. We walked up to Lincoln Elementary and did several exciting workouts.
Who inspires you? Why?
I would have to say I am quite inspired by the Warriors. During the past year and half, I have watched them gain so much independence and so much respect from other people despite whatever their disability is.
What do you know more about or enjoy more than most people?
I enjoy being observant. Although I am a talker around those I’m familiar with, I tend to be quiet and listen most times.
What is your perfect pizza?
I love cheese pizza but I will eat a pizza that has ham and bacon.
You are given unlimited resources to create something for Opportunity Knocks. What would you create?
I would create a therapy program. At the end of each week, the Warriors would be given the opportunity to evaluate and discuss staff and themselves.
Kate McCole
River Forest, IL
Background in Adaptive Sports (Notably, Adaptive Skiing & Snowboarding) and Best Buddies Alum
What do you do at/for Opportunity Knocks? Why do you do it?
I serve as a Program Leader for Opportunity Knocks. I work here because the warriors and the staff give me energy. Every time I leave OK I am in a better mood than when I first arrive.
What is your favorite Opportunity Knocks memory?
My favorite OK memory so far was dancing with everyone to High School Musical’s “We’re all in this together” theme song in our music and dance program. It was fun to see everybody let loose and enjoy themselves.
Who inspires you? Why?
I am inspired by my two big brothers. They are my best friends and biggest role models. What I admire most about them is their willingness to chase their passions no matter the circumstances and where life takes them. They are motivated by happiness versus monetary success.
What do you know more about or enjoy more than most people?
I love reading books about war, specifically memoirs. Also, I love being outside. I would gladly live in the woods full time if it was socially acceptable. I love mountains and all outdoor activities associated with them including snowboarding, hiking, and camping. ALSO, I love lakes and I think that oceans are the worst. Why would I want to swim in something that contains millions of predators? I grew up on a lake in Wisconsin and one of my claims to fame is that I am the only kid in my family that can slalom.
What is your perfect pizza?
Hawaiian pizza all day every day.
You are given unlimited resources to create something for Opportunity Knocks. What would you create?
I would create an outdoors club at OK that entailed flying to mountains to ski and snowboard with adaptive equipment, hiking, and canoeing in a safe way and going on camping trips with trained adaptive professionals. We would travel to several national parks for our excursions and experience the world in its raw and real form.
Juliet Kibbe
Shaker Heights, OH
Background in Anthropology, Theatre, and Youth Development; OK’s 2015 Watermelon Eating Contest Champ
What do you do at/for Opportunity Knocks? Why do you do it?
I work in the After Opps program. I do it because I love helping people to be their best self.
What is your favorite Opportunity Knocks memory?
Watching a very intense game of 5-on-5 basketball. It got real.
Who inspires you? Why?
Keely Baldwin because she is always genuine, beautiful, and ready to work.
What do you know more about or enjoy more than most people?
Astrology.
What is your perfect pizza?
Pepperoni, green peppers, and onions.
You are given unlimited resources to create something for Opportunity Knocks. What would you create?
I would love to use performance art to make productions on stage, video, and just to improvise with one another.
Ruben Torres
Chicago, IL
Student at Dominican University and Student Worker at the Disability Support Services Office
What do you do at/for Opportunity Knocks? Why do you do it?
I am an intern at Opportunity Knocks in the After Opps and Life Shop program. I am a support coach in the Life Shop where I interact with the participants and help them with activities that will help them become better individuals. I am going to be also a staff member in the After Opps program.
What is your favorite Opportunity Knocks memory?
The friendliness of the staff members here.
Who inspires you? Why?
What inspires me to do more in life would have to be my parents. My parents have worked tremendously to ensure that I have a better life and to help me understand in difficult situations.
What do you know more about or enjoy more than most people?
What I enjoy more than most people is talking to other people that I don’t [normally] have the chance to. It is interesting to hear a different perspective because it [helps to become] a better individual.
What is your perfect pizza?
My perfect pizza would be a combination of pepperoni and sausage.
You are given unlimited resources to create something for Opportunity Knocks. What would you create?
I would create more events in the year, where the members can interact with their parents and the staff members because it would allow the participants to find abilities that they might not have discovered yet and will help their parents understand how to guide them with their new talents.
