Meet Your Neighbor
Kaitlin Brinkhoff
Interview by Seth Allen
I sat down with Kaitlin Brinkhoff, one of our newest additions to the St.Francis staff. She is also of the newest members of our congregation. She officially joined the church on Easter Sunday. Kaitlin is also Deborah's and my soon-to-be official daughter in-law. Meet Kaitlin Brinkhoff!
ME: Where were you born and raised?
KB: I'm a Tucson native. I graduated from Cienega High School.
ME: Where did you go to college?
KB: I took classes at Pima College.
ME: What did you study?
KB: I was studying Veterinary Medicine.
ME: What was your plan?
KB: I wanted to be a Veterinarian.
ME: That makes me think you didn't finish, why?
KB: When I found out how long it would take and how much money, I decided to do something else with my life.
ME: And that was........?
KB: I worked a bunch of different jobs. I took care of my brother and sister while my mom was at work. I was an overnight stocker at Safeway. I cleaned houses for a year. Then I was an Animal Caretaker at Petsmart for two years. After that I moved to Petco as an Animal Department Lead.
ME: Anything interesting happen there?
KB: I met Devon there in 2019. Our first date was the Ash Wednesday service at Water of Life MCC. That's where I met his mom, Deborah Kramer, and you.
ME: When did you first come to St.Francis?
KB: I blame Deborah. We had come a couple of times for different services and events. Then, she told me about a job opening; I applied and they hired me.
ME: Tell me about that?
KB: I'm the Multimedia Director. That means handling the website, social media, physical and digital marketing, livestreaming, and digital collaborations with the International School for Peace.
ME: What is your hope for the church's future?
KB: I'd like to see us be more active social media. Build wider connections between the community and the congregation. Make broader collaborations between the community, congregation, ministries, and the staff.
ME: That's a big wishlist.
KB: There's more. I am working with Melissa to resurrect the Library for Peace. I want it to include a gift shop that features member created items. I'd like to start a volunteer program for local high school students in all areas to help them with their community service hours. I'm working on a memorial page for the website for those that have passed. I'm starting a tech table to provide general technical help, so members can use all our features like QR codes and the new online store. I want to develop a St.Francis app so that people can watch the service, RSVP for events, add prayer requests, and get information on upcoming services and events.
ME: When are you going to have time to plan a wedding?
KB: We're getting married in 2026. I think I'll have time.
ME: Could you be any busier?
KB: Probably.
ME: What's your favorite pastime or hobby?
KB: Gardening. Going to Disney. I draw and paint. I do dog training for people.
ME: If your life was a book, what would the title be?
KB: "How Unexpected"
ME: Who would you want to play you in the movie version?
KB: Blake Lively.