Hello! My name is Katie Barnes, I am 17 years old. I attend Southside High school (Go Tigers!) where I will be a rising senior and am currently an intern at United Ministries.

Throughout my 3 years of high school, I’ve participated in both varsity volleyball and cheer. This year I participated in FCA which is the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Southside United which is the leadership of working with special needs students in our school, as well as being vice president of the junior class. After high school I plan to attend a four year college, obtain a degree in biology and go to dental school to become an orthodontist. Despite wanting to be a dentist, I still want to be able to be involved in my community and potentially use my skills as a doctor to give back to my community and provide dental care for those who need it.

Working with United Ministries has already taught me so much about how those who are underprivileged should be empowered just like everyone else on their journeys to self-sufficiency. Everyone deserves a chance and our Greenville community is currently working to ensure that everyone gets this chance. I’ve only worked for a couple days and interacted with so many individuals, I got to see quickly how their situations aren’t perfect, yet they remain hopeful and happy. It gives me encouragement that bad times don’t last forever and there’s always light at the end of the tunnel. Gaining experience and seeing first hand the daily struggles and challenges people go through in our community makes me forever grateful for the opportunity of being able to intern with United Ministries.