ABOVE: Kinship of Martin County’s new director, Courtney Logwood, left, is pictured next to other directors Jen Kahler, center, and Katy Gonzalez. Logwood’s arrival has led the mentoring organization to expand into other sectors.

FAIRMONT- Local mentoring organization, Kinship of Martin County, has a new co-director. Courtney Logwood replaced Sarah Caballero, who resigned shortly after Logwood completed training in September.

Logwood holds a masters in animal science and had previously worked in the poultry processing industry.

She said a desire for public service was what led to her career change. Although Logwood made a comfortable living in her previous field, she said working at Kinship is much more fulfilling.

“Even though this was a big jump I feel like I’m happier now and I prefer this to what I was doing,” said Logwood.

Logwood is originally from the Houston, Texas area but moved to Fairmont in 2020 to work at Tony Downs Foods in Madelia. She later returned to Texas but said Fairmont had started to feel like home so she made plans to settle in the area permanently.

“I like that you always see little kids walking around by themselves; it makes me feel like it’s safe. I like that there are real seasons here. I like to see snow, it just feels magical. The sense of community that they have here; people seem genuinely like they want to help each other or … random people, that Minnesota nice, I really felt it here,” said Logwood.

Kinship’s leadership believes Logwood’s experience in the business sector will be particularly valuable since its two other directors have primarily worked with other nonprofits.

“Courtney has a lot of cool new ideas on future partnerships with different organizations and businesses; coming from that business perspective and her background, that was one of the things we thought would be really cool,” said Katy Gonzalez, the other associate director at Kinship.

“They wanted growth and they felt like the different mindset I had … would help us to grow,” said Logwood.

Currently Logwood is working on making connections with area businesses and community groups and is in the process of finalizing partnerships with some organizations. The goal of these initiatives is to expand what Kinship can do for its mentees and help prepare them for life after they finish school. Logwood hopes connecting area students with employers will both help them find more fulfilling careers and help address a shortage of workers in Martin County.

“We’re hoping that by partnering with those businesses and them being able to see those students repeatedly, they’ll know more about what we stand for and will be willing to offer opportunities to those students,” said Logwood.

Logwood’s other responsibilities involve managing the organization’s finances and grant applications.

Kinship of Martin County currently has 54 students matched with mentors, but has 19 more students waiting for available volunteers. Mentors who meet with students engage in a shared activity which allow them to gain new experiences and perspectives.

“It’s essentially taking a kid along with you to do something that you would’ve had fun doing anyway. That kid is getting that positive relationship and also fun with another adult outside their home,” said Logwood.

The time commitment for being a mentor is flexible and relatively low. Adults interested in becoming regular mentors can work with children two to three times a month, while those who are unable to make a regular commitment can volunteer as a temporary mentor at events or with students on the organization’s waiting list while they wait for a regular mentor.

More information can be found at kinshipofmartincounty.com.