Tyler is officially the GNS Food Driver and Office Assistant but many people know him as the guy who runs the Summer Lunch Program Kitchen and brings the kids their meals. (Or maybe just as the dude with the Kendama around his neck.) Tyler makes sure the prep kitchen runs smoothly, the volunteers know what they’re doing, and the food gets to all the different feeding sites. “Being able to feed kids who need it is very rewarding,” says Tyler “If there was a program like that when I was a kid I would have gone every day.”
Tyler has lived in Siskiyou County most of his life—he was born at the hospital in Mt. Shasta and spent all his school years in Weed. After listening to his Uncle Eddie praise his workplace, he too applied to join the Great Northern Team. He didn’t get the first position he applied for—it meant working too closely with a family member—but he was quickly hired by the Community Services Department and has now become an integral member of their crew.
During his time at GNS, he has fed kids, delivered USDA commodities, distributed Mt. Shasta Fresh, and done countless other tasks from one end of the county to the other. “I kinda actually like the driving a lot,” says Tyler, “I love being able to help people and see the whole county.”
Outside of GNS Tyler continues his work with kids. Working through the Kendama Institute he helps children focus on self-empowerment through play. “It’s about teaching kids to have faith that they can meet goals,” says Tyler, “They learn that it’s ok to not get it right away, to take breaks, but to keep pushing toward what they want.”
Thank you Tyler, for your long hours, hard work, and serious playfulness.