Today we’d like to introduce you to Kimberly Scales.
In 1993, Kimberly was working on her graduate degree while working in a long-term residential therapeutic program for teenagers. She began taking students in the program out to serve with her in the community. It was through those service opportunities that she realized that students changed when they served. In those moments that were able to take their minds off of themselves, they began to heal. From there, she went on to be the Asst. Service Learning Coordinator at Pace Academy, where her passion and heart for teenagers serving began to grow even more. Flood began in 2007 when she recognized the desire in the hearts of middle and high school students to serve others was growing A grassroots effort began with her taking students to serve every other month at a local homeless outreach program. It didn’t take long for the students to invite their friends to serve with them so they could experience what they were experiencing in their hearts – a passion for others. As they continued to bring more friends, she realized the need to provide service opportunities in a simple, flexible and life-changing way.
Flood was founded with a mission to provide local communities hope through the hearts and hands of high school students. Their vision is to empower generations of students to experience Jesus by loving, leading and serving others. Flood was founded in August 2007 by Kimberly in response to students wanting to serve regularly in their communities with their friends. Flood received its 501(c)3 status in December 2007 and conducted its first annual Bring On The Rain event in January 2008. Chapters at local high schools were formed in 2008 and 2009. Since its founding, over 5,000 high school students have served over 40,000 hours in the community through flood’s community service opportunities.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It was never my intention or desire to start a non-profit. I am often heard saying that if God had told me what this was going to look like, I never would have signed up for it. Being the Executive Director for flood has been the most challenging thing I have ever undertaken and has pushed me so far out of my comfort zone. If it weren’t for the stories and testimonies from the students and how serving has changed their lives, I don’t think I would have been able to continue over all these years. I honestly can’t think of a smooth time while leading flood. Some days have definitely been easier than others, but I would never use the word smooth. I would like to, but don’t know if I will ever be able to say that. The fundraising is by far the most challenging part of leading a non-profit.
Please tell us about Flood Student Missions.
Flood has grown to 17 chapters and 1,958 students participating annually. Chapters exist at the following high schools: Alpharetta, Milton, The King’s Academy, Cambridge, Roswell, Centennial, Chattahoochee, Johns Creek, Northview, Forsyth Central, Lambert, North Forsyth, South Forsyth, West Forsyth, Covenant Christian, Walton and Norcoss. Non-profits served by students in these Chapters include No Longer Bound, Meals By Grace, Chestnut Ridge Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Roswell Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, HomeStretch, Shine Special Needs Ministry, Safehouse Outreach, City of Refuge, Pier Thrift Foundation, The Garden, Operation Christmas Child, Seven Bridges to Recovery, Alive Ministries, Restoration Atlanta (RATL), Widows Watch, and Annandale Village. Flood students represent a variety of races, religions, and economic groups which are not tracked.
School chapters are established in high schools to engage students to serve at local projects and also to conduct “in-house” projects to support work with community partners. Each Chapter has a student-based leadership team, providing leadership opportunities for high school students in a unique model. Adult area coordinators work with the student leadership teams and provide oversight for the chapters at each school.
Serve Now projects occur throughout the month and are scheduled in order to bring flood chapters and other students together who want to serve. During the school year, each chapter has focus projects designed for their individual schools. Partnerships are established with local churches and youth organizations by providing local mission opportunities for their students and small group/discipleship leaders. A calendar on flood’s website lists service opportunities for each weekend and students register online to serve. Approximately 120-150 service opportunities are offered each year to students.
There is a great need among local non-profit organizations for volunteers to serve and help support their mission. At the same time, there is a need to provide service leadership opportunities to high school students so that they can develop their leadership skills while also learning the importance of serving others in their local community. Flood addresses these two needs through its unique model. There is no other organization currently that provides to students what flood offers – a consistent ministry that allows them to lead other students in serving by reaching out to their schools and community.
Contact Info:
- Address: 53 South Main Street Suite 300 Alpharetta, GA 30149
- Website: floodstudentmissions.org
- Phone: 7702891834
- Email: kscales@floodstudentmissions.org
- Instagram: servewithflood
- Facebook: flood student missions
- Twitter: servewithflood
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