As a lifelong volunteer and community advocate, Connie is thoughtful about how she chooses to invest her time.
"I look for things that are meaningful for me, and I believe in our libraries," Connie explains. "I get so much value from the library for no cost to me whatsoever. Volunteering and donating at the end of the year is my way of giving back."
Each summer, Connie helps out with JCPL's Teen Fashion Camp. Two years ago, Connie began volunteering at Standley Lake's monthly Learn to Sew program for adults.
"I'm not great at it, but I can sew!" Connie laughs. "I find it's really rewarding when you can teach something that's kind of a lost art, especially when you find kids enthused about it."
"Connie is great at problem solving and jumps right in when any of our sewers are trying to figure out how to make their design function," PX Associate Shelly says. "I love that she is open, honest and fun! Connie embraces challenges, proactively anticipates class needs and builds relationships with our program attendees."
Teen Outreach Librarian Tori adds: "Connie has a magical way with people of all ages! She is always quick to identify a patron who is struggling with an activity, and she will lend a helping hand to them in a way that empowers them to conquer the activity. Connie is a huge asset to the JCPL volunteer team, and she has made such a big difference in the lives of the patrons she helps during our programs. She is an icon!"
Connie thrives when she gets to connect with others in the community.
"I volunteer quite a lot for a variety of things that are meaningful to me, but I don't always find the kind of support that I get from library staff," she says. "They are incredibly nice people and are always there to help. Library programs seem to attract — whether teens or adults — people who are respectful, kind and want to learn something. I'm amazed at the teens who come to the programs; they are really incredible."
Teen Services Coordinator Arra values Connie's ability to quickly build rapport with teens who attend programs. "She has such a welcoming presence at the camps, and the teens always gravitate to her for help," Arra says. "She is also fabulous at being able to anticipate the needs of campers and advocate for them. At our Cosplay Camp this year, she helped one of our more shy participants open up and helped them with their design. I am always so happy when I get Connie as one of my volunteers!"
Before retiring, Connie had a long career working for nonprofit and government groups focused on community development infrastructure and affordable housing. Her last job was a political appointment to head the state department for USDA Rural Development under former President Obama. In that role, she got to expand beyond affordable housing to work on projects like building hospitals, clinics, fire stations and other community infrastructure. A bonus of her job was that it required her to spend half her time in Wyoming, where her son and his family live.
"I could pick my grandson up from school when I was there," Connie remembers. "My family is the most important thing to me. Your family and friends — those are your treasures. And your community; I really believe that."
Connie also contributes to her community in her other volunteer roles at the Food Bank and each of the three community gardens she has worked in. She currently gardens at Rose Roots Community Garden.
"In the summer all I do is garden, garden, garden," Connie laughs. "We've gotten rid of most of our grass at home. I love flowers and native pollinators."
Anytime she gets a free moment, Connie loves to read, go to the theater or attend concerts.
"I'm usually reading several different things at once," she says. "I take a book with me everywhere I go! I'll read almost anything — but I'm a very critical reader on content and quality. If it's not written well, I can't read it. And with mysteries, if I can figure it out partway through, I'm done. I just finished My Husband's Wife, and it kept me guessing up until the last three pages — I love that!"
Thank you for your contributions to JCPL, Connie!