Editor’s note: This interview was done earlier this year.

Jessica McKenzie, 34, is the volunteer coordinator at Trinity Jubilee Center. She came to Maine in 2020 with a global experience behind her. Hailing from the northernmost city in the United States and a U.S. Navy veteran, her travels have brought her from the wilds of the northern Alaskan arctic shore to the Asian Pacific, East Africa and the Middle East.

With plans on settling down in Lewiston, Jessica says she is driven by a passion for helping people find and use the tools they need to make better lives for themselves.

Who are you, where are you from? My name is Jessica, I’m 34 years old, born and raised on the Arctic Ocean in a small city called Utqiaġvik, Alaska, the northernmost city in the United States. It’s actually very similar to Maine except the fact that the sun stays up for three months out of the year and then sets for three months immediately after. I haven’t been home in four years, but when I last visited, I paid $100 for a case of bottled water and $30 for half a watermelon! My family who still lives there is preparing for whaling season, which starts in May. I advise anyone who wants to travel to Alaska to stay at the Top of the World Hotel during whaling season. They hold celebrations and everyone is invited to help prepare and serve the community!

How did you come to work at Trinity Jubilee Center, why, and what led up to that? I came to the Trinity Jubilee Center in November 2023. My partner and I bought a house in Lewiston last fall and this year we are getting married in our backyard! I’ve been very busy with decorating and planning.

When I moved to Maine in 2020, I immersed myself in the alcoholics/narcotics anonymous recovery community. I managed a sober house in Portland and continued to volunteer and sponsor women in the community over the last few years. I originally was looking for another volunteer opportunity when I saw a job posting for the Trinity Jubilee Center “Volunteer Coordinator” position. Trinity’s mission aligned with my passions, and I was VERY excited when they offered me the position.

What are your passions and how do they drive you? I’m passionate about experiencing different cultures, exploring new places, and immersing myself in unfamiliar environments. I enjoy helping those who want help but don’t know where to find it. I served in the United States Navy and deployed in 2008. We toured through many different countries, from Indonesia and Japan to Jordan and Somalia. We were given unique opportunities to learn about each culture and find ways to be of service.

What do you do at the center? I am the volunteer coordinator at Trinity. I maintain relationships with local agencies to recruit volunteers, and I train, schedule, and supervise all volunteers. Trinity has a soup kitchen, food pantry, day shelter, resource center, and refugee program, and our volunteers help in every program: They are the backbone of our agency! I also assist with day-to-day operations throughout the building such as helping our soup kitchen manager with preparing meals, boxing up food during our weekly food pantry, and scheduling appointments for help with resumes and job applications. I also hand out supplies and check in with those that utilize our shelter. We are a small organization with five full-time employees, so we all help where help is needed.

Are there any standout moments that come to mind about the work being done at the center? Last week, a client who had been using our day shelter came in with the BIGGEST smile, holding keys to his new apartment! We were able to prepare a huge box full of pots and pans, dishes, dish soap, utensils, blankets, a crock pot, towels, washcloths, and a personal hygiene kit. In that moment I thought to myself, “This is one less person that I will worry about freezing on the streets.” Instead, they are at “home” warm and safe.

What do you see from folks’ struggles that would be an easy fix with a little help? It’s the little things that make a huge difference and bring a smile! Our guests are in search of supplies to help them stay safe and cool on these hot summer days! This includes tents, sleeping bags, wash cloths, personal hygiene items such as men’s deodorant and underwear! Trinity Jubilee Center has an Amazon wish list that we keep updated with items we often run out of. We also rely heavily on our amazing volunteers. They are super important to our daily operations.

What’s going to require harder work? In the community: finding housing for people. We have a large group of caring individuals assisting, but our community lacks enough available, affordable apartments to house everyone. It would also be amazing to see more overnight shelters for adults, teens and families. At Trinity: building our new home! We are set to break ground this year. We need to raise a lot of money and it will take almost a year to build. With a larger space we will be able to shelter, feed, and help so many more people!

What is the most important part of your day? The most important part of my day is coming home, cooking dinner and decompressing. I feel it’s important to sit and reflect on my day — making sure I praise myself for what I’ve accomplished, reflecting on what I can do better the next day. I try to start each day with an open heart and mind, so that I’m able to learn from each encounter and experience.

What or who are your inspirations from your personal life? My 9-year-old daughter Penelope inspires me! She has a very positive outlook on life and encourages me to find more ways to help our community. From folks at the center: Tonya Sands, our Day Shelter director. She grew up in Lewiston and is very involved in our community. She is very passionate about helping people and connecting them to resources. Her heart is HUGE. She’s the glue in our workplace that keeps it all together.

Copy the Story Link

« Previous

Whispering Pines Haunted Hotel: Ghouls-galore in Funtown’s newest ride

Next »

Letters from Madagascar: Anyone want a puppy?