Staff: Carly Kowallis

Carly grew up in Boise, Idaho where she participated in several volunteer projects through the local homeless shelter programs and an animal shelter. It was this passion for helping people that led her to earning a Bachelors in Global Studies and Sociology from Liberty University. Kids have always been a part of her life through volunteering, nannying, being a daycare teacher, or through leading church children's programs. After college she moved to Colorado Springs. Here she worked with a nonprofit to send interns to serve humanitarian project overseas and as a Preschool Director with a local church. Carly developed a passion for seeing kids from a variety of backgrounds persevere through challenges and get excited about the world around them. After 4 years in Colorado Springs, she served with an international organization working with at-risk kids and youth in a small country in southeastern Europe. Carly strengthened her skills in cross-cultural communication and loved learning about a new culture through the new friends, families, and kids she worked with. After two years overseas, she returned to her beloved Colorado Springs and is excited to join Friends of the Children - Colorado Springs as a Friend (Professional Mentor). Outside of work, Carly loves visiting local coffee shops, paddleboarding, traveling, enjoying the beautiful Colorado mountains, and watching tv with her sweet cat.