Jenny Gardner is Clarity’s Client Services Director. Here’s a few fun facts to get to know her a bit better:
1. Tell us a little about your family.
My husband, Garvin, and I will be married 46 years this summer and we have 3 sons and 10 grandchildren. We were childhood sweethearts. I have 5 sisters and 2 brothers and a wonderful Mom! We attend Lifeline Wesleyan Church in Greensburg.
2. What is your favorite thing about working at Clarity?
My favorite thing about working at Clarity is being a part of ministry that serves our communities well. I am thankful for friendships made and for personal growth.
3. What hobbies do you have outside of work?
I have several things I enjoy with the newest being ice-skating and watching my family ice-skating, something I hadn’t done for probably 30 years until recently. I also enjoy gardening, both flowers and vegetables and I enjoy reading.
4. Are you an introvert or extrovert?
Pretty sure I would be labeled an introvert!
5. What is one of the scariest things you’ve ever done?
Flying to New York to cook at a Church camp for 350-400 people! The scary part was the flying as it was the first time! At the end of the flight the stewardess offered something to relax me!
6. If you could to eat one food for the rest of your life without getting sick of it, what would it be?
Chicken Tortilla Soup made by my daughter in law! Hmm, I really enjoy dark chocolate with caramel also!
7. What were the last two books you read?
The last two books I have read are “How to Win Friends and Influence People” by Dale Carnegie and “Two Weeks” by Karen Kingsbury.
8. Do you have a favorite quote to share with us?
When I want to speak let me THINK first, “Is it true, is it helpful, is it inspiring, is it necessary, is it kind?” If not, let it be left unsaid.
Meet Teri White, one of Clarity’s Community Educators. Here’s a few fun facts to get to know her a bit better:
1. Tell us a little about your family.
I have been married to David for almost 28 years. We met when we were in high school, dated while we were in college and married after he graduated from college and I was still finishing. David is a Corporate Purchasing Director for Raybestos Powertrain. We have three children that were all homeschooled. Our oldest is Tyler and he lives in Texas. He graduated from IUPUI with a degree in Communications and is almost finished with his Master’s degree in Health Policy and Management from Texas A&M University. Our middle child, Rachel, just graduated from IUPUI with a Bachelor’s degree in Media Arts and Science. Her dream is to one day work for Pixar. Our youngest, Elisabeth, is homeschooled and is a junior. She is thinking about going to Ball State or Purdue and would like to study Nutrition. When she doesn’t have her nose in a book, you’ll find her consumed with volleyball and policy debate.
2. Tell us a bit about your education and professional background.
I graduated from Texas A&M University in 1991 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Community Health. I interned at a clinic that provided some of the same services as Clarity. Shortly after graduation, my husband and I found out that we were expecting our first child. From that point on I stayed at home to take care of my family.
3. What is your favorite thing about working at Clarity?
My favorite thing about working at Clarity is knowing that the information that I am imparting on the students could have a great impact on their lives and change not only their current circumstances, but also their future circumstances. I wish there had been a program like this in my school when I was young.
4. What hobbies do you have outside of work?
I love to read. You can always find a stack of books by my bedside that I am currently reading. I have set a goal multiple times to only read one book at a time but that never seems to happen.
5. What is your favorite thing about living in south central Indiana?
My favorite thing about living here is that David and I are relatively close to our parents who live in Ohio. Our hearts are really in Texas (that is where I was born) and we hope to one day retire there; but for now David and I are glad that we can live close to our families.
6. Do you have a most embarrassing moment you would share with our readers?
I once met Mike Pence in a gas station and introduced myself and my children to him. My son was happy to meet him but my girls said I was acting like a 13-year-old fangirl. I apparently (according to the girls) forgot that he is just a human like all of the rest of us!
7. Be honest, what song or band is your guilty pleasure?
Any song by George Strait
8. Do you have a favorite quote to share with us?
“Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.” William Butler Yeats
We want to give a warm welcome to Clarity’s new Development Director, Lara Hodson!
1. Tell us a little about your family.
I have three children. Jessica (34) who is a pilot in the Air Force Reserves and also flies for UPS. Joel (30) is a musician, photographer, and clothes designer in LA,and Jonathan (19) who is currently studying abroad in Barcelona. He is studying sports medicine and wants to be a doctor.
2. Tell us a bit about your education and professional background.
I am a Certified Human Resources Professional (PHR) as well as a Certified Human Behavior Consultant (CHBC). I have an Associates degree in Communications (A.A.)
3. What is your favorite thing about working at Clarity?
So far, my favorite thing about working at Clarity, in addition to the mission and vision, is the people.
4. What hobbies do you have outside of work?
I LOVE to travel, and travel I do. Last year I traveled solo to the the French Riviera, Barcelona, Rome, Italy, Corsica and Marseilles. I arrived in Monaco in a ship, left on a train and returned in a Helicopter. I went to France because I “try” to speak French. I have studied French for several years.
5. What is your favorite thing about living in south central Indiana?
Columbus is such a remarkable community. Such a great combination of class, culture and country. I think southern Indiana is very lovely.
6. What accomplishment are you most proud of?
Raising three amazing kids. Creating a “Take Flight With a Good Book” for Chicagoland Libraries. I was a flight attendant and put together a reading program for kids. I brought in a team of pilots, flight attendants and made the kids believe they could go anywhere in the world (by reading a good book). It received major recognition from Chicago Tribune Newspaper as well as other local papers.
7. Be honest, what song or band is your guilty pleasure?
Jason Mraz or Elton John
8. What are some things that make you really happy?
Fresh air. Good time with family and friends. Exotic Islands. Quiet time with the Lord. Good Music.
9. If you could hop on a plane today and fly anywhere in the world, where would you go?
Name: Jennifer McGuire-Kozakiewicz (Koe-za-ke-vich)
Title: Testing Clinic Assistant
1. Tell us a little about your family.
Oh, our family. I give all the glory to God for weaving us together. My husband, Tom, and I live in Columbus with our 3 wild childs, Lilly, Christian and Genevieve. Between the five of us, there is honestly never a dull moment.
2. Tell us a bit about your education and professional background.
My background has mostly been in the medical field. I started out as an EMT at 18, and later added my CNA license. I graduated from IUPUC with a Bachelors in Science and Mathematics, and Biology minor. While attending IUPUC, I worked as a biology and chemistry tutor in the Academic Resource Center.
3. What is your favorite thing about working at Clarity?
Coming alongside clients and loving them where they are.
4. What hobbies do you have outside of work?
I love anything outdoors! (except spiders!)
5. What is your favorite thing about living in south central Indiana?
Having all 4 seasons!
6. If you could eat one food for the rest of your life and not get sick of it, what would it be?
Chips and cottage cheese
7. If you could hop on a plane today and fly anywhere in the world, where would you go?
Poland!
8. What is the best advice anyone has ever given you?
I’ve been married to my amazing wife, Pam, for nearly 32 years (she’s the administrative assistant to the principal at Brown Co. High School). We have two adult children, Hannah, who is a French teacher at Brown Co. High School and is married to Robert Newlin. Hannah and Robert have two children, Nola and Roan. Our youngest is Trent, who works in financial services in Evansville and is married to Adrienne.
2. Tell us a bit about your education and professional background.
I’m a graduate of Cincinnati Christian University and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. I’ve also taken graduate coursework at Emmanuel Seminary. I spent about 4 years in construction management and more than 18 years in pastoral work prior to joining Clarity’s staff.
3. What is your favorite thing about working at Clarity?
The chance to be involved in a really important work with a HUGE variety of different kinds of people who all come together to serve a purpose bigger than themselves.
4. What hobbies do you have outside of work?
I love spending time with my family, reading and walking/hiking (Brown Co. where I live is a great place for that!).
5. What is one thing you are just absolutely no good at doing?
I am the world’s worst at car maintenance and repair. My father-in-law is an airplane mechanic and can fix anything that goes wrong with any sort of engine. When I attempt to work on any motor it is guaranteed to never run again and I’m going to wind up with multiple scrapes, bruises and busted knuckles, a wounded ego and thrown tools. It’s just not pretty!
6. If you could eat one food for the rest of your life and not get sick of it, what would it be?
I could never get sick of White Castle hamburgers!
7. Be honest, what song or band is your guilty pleasure?
I feel no guilt about it, but Jimi Hendrix.
8. What is the best advice anyone has ever given you?
A farmer at a rural church I served once told me “Don’t tear down fences until you know why they’re there.” That has been great advice in leadership. You shouldn’t make rash decisions to change something until you are completely sure you know why things are the way they currently are.
I have been married to my husband, Rual, for 10 years. We have both lived in Brown County our entire lives. We have 2 boys, Rual age 9, Sawyer age 5, a girl, Lennon, age 1, and a baby on the way, due in May!
Tell us a bit about your education and professional background.
I graduated Summa Cum Laude from Ivy Tech with an Associate’s degree in Sonography in 2014. I currently work three jobs using my degree. I work at Monroe Hospital in Bloomington, Southern Indiana OBGYN in Columbus, and here at Clarity.
What hobbies do you have outside of work?
My hobbies typically involve my kids. I really love watching them play sports. We like to take hikes together and spend time outdoors.
Be honest, what song or band is your guilty pleasure?
Any 80’s or 90’s country!
What is one thing you are just absolutely no good at doing?
Cooking anything that takes more than 3 ingredients.
What are some things that make you really happy?
When my husband remembers to take the trash out, when my little boys pick me flowers. It’s the small things that really make a big impact on my heart.
What is the best advice anyone has ever given you?
Love is not an emotion or a feeling, it’s a decision and an action.
