2010 Summer Interns

Fortress Youth Development Center’s Summer JAM program is overseen by staff, but facilitated by college interns and volunteers. We’re blessed this year to have a wonderful group of interns who are eager to serve our kids, our neighborhood, and our God. They bring varied skills, talents, experience, and a unified desire to make this a summer to remember!

Christin King

As a recent graduate of Texas A&M University (BS in Sociology), I am happy to return to the Dallas/Forth Worth area where I grew up. During college I had the privilege of working with Head Start, Royal Family Kids Camp ministering to abused and neglected children, Dallas C.A.S.A., and now Fortress. Starting in high school, with mission trips, I began working with children of all different ages. My first youth group trip to Torreon, Mexico, Casa Sonrisa Orphanage forever changed me. I found my love and passion for not only children, but for missions. It is this that has taken me from orphanages in Mexico to the heart of Zambia, Africa. I am very excited for this summer and the great opportunity I have being an intern at Fortress. Can’t wait to see what God has in store for all of us.

The LORD your God is with you,
he is mighty to save.
He will take great delight in you,
he will quiet you with his love,
he will rejoice over you with singing.”
-Zephaniah 3:17

Caitlin Smith

Hailing from Crawford, Texas, I am a student at Dallas Baptist University, working on a Broadcast Communications degree. WIth a long history of babysitting and tutoring, I found Fortress a perfect fit. With previous work in orphanages to convict me, I feel called to work with children and God led me directly here. After all my summer plans evaporated, I argued with God, asking him what to do and informing him that someone would not just call me with a summer job working with kids. The next day, I got a call from Fortress.

I am so excited about this summer! I have already found places for my creativity and love of reading. I look forward to this summer full of wonderful kids, fantastic smiles, and epic adventure. God is doing a great work through Fortress and I am blessed to be a part.

“Taste and see that the Lord is good.”
-Psalm 34:8

Luke Wendeborn

I’m from Waxahachie, Texas. I currently attend Harding University in Searcy, Arkansas where I’m pursuing a degree in Social Work. This is my second summer helping out at Fortress. I enjoyed the experience so much last year I decided to come back. I’m very excited about the summer; it looks very promising so far. I also plan on taking courses over the summer (so if you’re my teacher, take it easy! Just kidding.)

I love all the kids, employees and volunteers who come to help. They make it a pleasure to come to work. I hope to leave an impact here. I know it’s left one on me.

Quantay Plummer

My name is Quantay Plummer and I am originally from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. I have been in Fort Worth for about ten years now. I recently graduated from Trimble Technical High school, and plan to continue my education at the University of North Texas as a business major.

I found Fortress through a Bank of America Student Leader Internship. I am one of the ten interns that were placed at several non-profit organizations, and one of hundreds that applied for it. One of the factors in getting the internship was community involvement. For the past three years I have occupied much of my time volunteering in my community. I have given several hours of service at Shamblee Branch Library and the Southside Community Center. Due to inexperience it was really difficult for me to find a job which lead to me volunteering. I grew to love it and have been helping at some local community places in my neighborhood. Some of my closest friends consider me a volunteer junkie because I find a great amount of joy in doing volunteer work. If everyone could give a little of their time our community would be so much better.

I was also greatly involved in many of my school activities. Some of those include the National Honor Society, Youth for Christ, H. O. S. A., Link crew, Drama Club, Newspaper, Yearbook, Asian Club, Student Leadership, and the GBT Step Team. Being in so many activities while still maintaining my school work has taught me how important it is to keep good balance and time management. I am still working on both!

I am looking forward to my summer as an intern here. I feel a personal connection to Fortress because I lived in this exact neighborhood for the beginning of my high school years. It is always nice to be around people who find joy in catering to the community, and Fortress is one of the few places like that in this neighborhood.

If I am not in classes or volunteering I like to spend my free time with my family and friends. I have five siblings and currently live at home with my mother and two younger sisters.

Liana Varela

I have lived in Fort Worth all my life and I came to Fortress to be the programs administrator intern though the Bank of America Student Leaders Program, I am 1 of 10 that were picked out of 408 for this internship. I was really excited when Stacy called out my name and found out I would be working here because it combines the things I love most kids, God, and spreading the word through ministry.

I am 17 years old and attend South Hills High School where my main leadership roles are as a varsity cheerleader 1st Lieutenant and President and founder of Students 4 Christ. I am also an active member of my youth group at River Oaks Baptist Church. My mom is a teacher at my school and my dad is a Fort Worth police officer and youth minister so growing up I have had a good Christian influence. I feel that God has placed me at Fortress for a reason and I intend to serve him to my fullest whether it is office work or connecting with a kid through my past experiences. I’m excited and ready to see what the summer brings and getting to know new people.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.”
-Proverbs 3:5-6