Today we’d like to introduce you to Kimberly Miller.
Hi Kimberly, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I joined Summerhouse Houston six months ago as the community relations director. Summerhouse Houston is a non profit that supports adults with IDD (intellectual development disabilities) their families, and our community through employment, volunteerism, and partnerships to foster a culture of belonging, choice and respect. We distinctively focus on young adults post-high school. These vulnerable individuals are transitioning from a structured high school environment into adulthood where they must engage in the responsibility of organizing their lives. Our goal is to help our members gain greater self-sufficiency and reduce their dependence on government assistance. We provide strenth-based vocational discovery for our members to learn about employment and their interest through onsite training at our Shred for Indendence business, community volunteer sites (Houston Food Bank, Harris County Pets, Project C.U.R.E., Meals on Wheels, Memorial Assistance Ministries, Nature Discovery Center, Hermann Park Conservancy, Kids’ Meals, Heights Food Pantry, Loaves & Fishes, Hope Farms and many more) and 1:1 training at various businesses (CVS, Sedexo at TSU, Bike Barn, YMCA, Shoot the Moon, Special Pals, Baylor College of Medicine to name a few). Our growth over the decade (as we commemorate our 10th Anniversary) and the desire to provide support for our fellow Houstonians have necessitated the launch of Employment First: A Campaign for Summerhouse Houston. Our strategic plan envisions a second building to complement the transformational progress that has already been made on our Summerhouse campus.
I delight in my work at Summerhouse Houston and am blessed to be a part of a beautiful organization that works for inclusivity of marginalized citizens while educating and enlightening our communities about the vast value these individuals provide.
When not at work, I am busy “ubering” my five teen kiddos (ages 17, 15 and 13 yr old triplets) along with our three canines! Any given weekend I can be found on local running trails, cheering on my crew at the lacrosse fields, volleyball courts and golf courses.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Having five kiddos under the age of five was a “bit” of a challenge but grateful for the household chaos which allowed me to focus on the present and be in the moment (even when it was dicey)! Now that they are adolescences, beginning to think those younger years weren’t so difficult after all!
Juggling work and family life is never a perfect balance but the depth that it offers allows me to be a more compassionate individual and provides an optimistic lens of the world.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Summerhouse Houston was an ideal springboard given my prior work and volunteering efforts (through church, schools and community). I feel that every experience offers a “takeaway” whether positive or negative. Since moving from Seattle twelve years ago to Katy, I have found great comradery through service in our communities, whether it’s volunteering with my kiddos at Lunches of Love in Rosenberg (nonprofit combating childhood hunger in the Richmond/Rosenberg area) or supporting local philanthropies with my daughters through our NCL chapter, I have gained much insight from being surrounded by such diversity all while working together for the greater good.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
“Piggybacking” from my prior answer, when you find individuals working/serving to support the greater good, you are bound to spark a connection.
Contact Info:
- Website: summerhousehouston.org
- Instagram: Summerhouse Houston
- Facebook: Summerhouse Houston
