Patience is a quality Genna Kern-West says is a guiding principle when supporting children and families during some of their most vulnerable moments. “You never know what that family is going through, but we are here to help,” she said. As the Orchard Place Director of the Central Intake Program, Kern-West serves as one of the first points of connection for families seeking care, offering not just resources, but a kind heart.
Her work ranges from connecting families to vital mental health services to leading with empathy.
“A moment that sticks with me is when we had a family come from a not-so-great situation out of state. They had just missed the cut-off for everything Christmas-related and our Keep Kids Warm drive,” she shares. “Thankfully, we were prepared and had extras. We were able to provide gifts for a mom to put under her tree for her child. That was special.”
It’s kindness like this that children and families say they feel from Orchard Place staff. Kern-West says it’s undeniable that when you step inside the doors at Orchard Place, passion is what you’re greeted with. “It gives me hope seeing how much people truly care about kids and families. It is really inspiring and makes me happy.” For her, that shared commitment is what makes Orchard Place more than a place for treatment, but a place of healing.
Watch her full interview here.
