AMANDA was led to Good Works by the goodness of God. Throughout her undergraduate career at Ohio University, Amanda had looked into Peace Corps extensively, as she felt that she 1) was called to a life of service and 2) needed a government organization that could defer her mountains of student loans while she was serving. However, in 2004, God blessed her with an amazing nephew and she was no longer as interested in leaving the continent for two years.

Eventually, Amanda began to learn more about AmeriCorps and her focus shifted. Through connections she made at Central Avenue United Methodist in 2007, Amanda was introduced to Keith Wasserman at Friday Night Life. Unknowingly, Amanda began talking with the founder of Good Works about her desire to serve and find an AmeriCorps position post-graduation. Keith invited her to apply for a soon-to-be-open position at Good Works and soon, she was working with kids, adults and seniors!

After working as a counselor at the beautiful and inspiring Salvation Army Camp Allegheny during the summer of 2007 (which was an uplifting and humbling experience), Amanda returned to Athens to begin her position with Good Works and AmeriCorps. During the two years Amanda remained with Good Works through AmeriCorps, she felt truly privileged to be let into the lives of so many wonderful individuals: the determined residents of the Timothy House, the many hospitable seniors of Senior Friends, the beautiful children of Friday Night Kids’ Club and the summer Discovery Club, as well as and the many volunteers who served alongside her in those programs. As she prepared to marry Matthew Carlyle, a former Good Works summer intern and night shift supervisor at the Timothy House, Amanda felt that the Lord was leading her to stay on at Good Works beyond the two years she served through AmeriCorps.  Thankfully, Keith and the rest of the staff at Good Works agreed!

Amanda and Matthew were married on July 11, 2009 at the Good Works property on Luhrig Road—which is where they met at Friday Night Life in the first place!

Currently, Amanda is continuing to be tremendously blessed by her relationships with the ever-growing community of Senior Friends friends.  She learns how to garden, can, knit tiny flowers, bake apple pie, make pear honey and how to be a more loving, welcoming, hospitable woman every day.

Matt and Amanda enjoy bike riding, running, writing, learning Spanish, watching documentaries and spending time with their families (and their three wonderful nephews!) as much as possible.