Author Archives: Morgan Whaley

As our organization grows, we are always excited to announce new and talented team members. We welcomed Abby to our team mid-January as the Support Coordinator. Abby will be wearing multiple hats as she helps the organization achieve success across various departments.

We asked Abby some questions to get to know her a little bit better, read her responses below.

• Why are you excited to be a part of the Sweet Cheeks Team?  
  • I think that Sweet Cheeks is filling an incredibly crucial need in the community and I am really excited to be a part of this team doing such great work! I am really looking forward to learning as much as I can about being a part of a non-profit organization as well. Plus, everyone here is so nice and welcoming, which always makes things more fun.
• If you could write a book about your life, what would the title be and why?
  • If I could write a book about my life, the title would probably be, “It’s Worth a Shot.” I chose this title because I love to try new things and have new experiences. I try to be open and willing to pursue new and different things and oftentimes you end up with an awesome experience or at least a memorable adventure.
• What advice would you give to your teenage self?
  • I would tell my teenage self to keep trying new things and not to worry. It will be fun along the way and you will find your groove eventually.
• What’s your favorite way to unwind after a busy day?
  • After a busy day, my favorite thing to do is curl up on the couch with my boyfriend, our two dogs, and some soft blankets to watch some trashy reality TV. I would call it my guilty pleasure, but I am not ashamed! It is just so good!
• If you could choose a superpower, what would it be?
  • I think that I would choose to be able to control the temperature around me. I am almost always freezing and if I’m not freezing, I’m probably sweating, so it’d be nice to be able to be at a more comfortable temperature.

We are excited to welcome our new Program Manager, Kara Wardon. Kara brings a wealth of knowledge and has a beautiful spirit to match. We are glad to have her a part of the team. Check out her bio and some fun facts below!

Kara was born and raised in the Greater Cincinnati area, where she graduated from NKU with her BA and went on to complete her MA at Mount St. Joseph University. Kara comes to Sweet Cheeks with a decade of supply chain experience across several global corporations. Prior to joining our team, she spent several years focused on serving youth who are at risk in our city as a local non-profit program and project manager. In addition to that work, Kara also has a passion for diversity, equity and inclusion. She occasionally teaches a course on Christian Justice at Mount St. Joseph University and has also served as a founder and the leader of a team at her previous organization which worked to educate staff and address bias and prejudice as it relates to race, gender, nationality and class. When not working, Kara enjoys volunteering at her local church, reading, hiking, camping and creating art. She also likes traveling nationally and internationally. She has visited Italy, Switzerland, France, India, Belgium, the Netherlands, Israel and Ireland – and hopes to visit more countries in the future. 

Why are you excited to be a part of the Sweet Cheeks Team?  I’m excited to use my gifts and skills in a way that helps protect the health and well-being of children in our communities.

If you could write a book about your life, what would the title be and why? I think I’d title my book “When Life Gave Me Lemons, I Opened a Lemonade Stand.” It takes the idea of making something good out of something bad a step further and asks how it can be used to serve others as well – which is what I’ve learned to do with my own difficulties and struggles. 

What advice would you give to your teenage self? I’d tell my teenage self to quit smoking and focus on schoolwork and tennis.  

What’s your favorite way to unwind after a busy day? Going for a 3-5 mile hike, ideally with my dog.

If you could choose a superpower, what would it be? I’d love to be able to travel the same way Dr. Strange from the Marvel Universe does – just pop in and out of space to whatever destination I want. That’d be amazing!

The nation is on the verge of reopening the economy, and parents are anxiously waiting for the moment when childcare centers are able to reopen as parents return to work.

Mixed feelings and emotions are surfacing for parents. Some mothers have enjoyed spending these days with their kids, homeschooling them, constantly feeding them, and enjoying those special moments to reconnect and bond. On the other hand, some parents have had a continual hustling and bustling of life as an essential worker, and instead of life slowing down, it has actually done the reverse.

Regardless, of what side you fall on, what I have realized in this time of the pandemic is the importance of our loved ones. Each moment that we have with each other should be cherished and appreciated. It’s time for all of us to humble ourselves and let all the petty mellow drama in our lives fade away, and remember what is truly important. The gift of life.