Kelly Paredes is settling not only into her new position as program manager of Ben’s Lighthouse, but resettling into the community she once called home, graduating from Newtown High School in 1998.

Along with her husband, Hernando, and 19-month-old son, Oliver, Ms Paredes moved back to Newtown during the Labor Day weekend, and started her new job on Tuesday, September 2.

“My family is still [in Newtown], so it’s like my life has come full circle,” Ms Paredes said. “It’s great to bring back the experiences I’ve had, and share them with my community,” she said.

She received her undergraduate degree in social work from the University of Delaware, and her graduate degree from Loyola University. Since then, she has worked at schools in Maryland and New Jersey as a school counselor.

Named for Ben Wheeler, one of the 20 first graders killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School, 12/14, Ben’s Lighthouse was founded by teachers, social workers, clergy, counselors, parents, and students invested in helping youth deal with post-12/14 difficulties. According to the Ben’s Lighthouse website, BensLighthouse.org, its mission is to foster “all children’s potential to build a more compassionate and connected world. Children become architects of a changed society by practicing empathy, self-awareness and volunteerism. Each child’s contribution, small or large, is a benefit to self and society.”

“My experience working in schools and with youth brings an understanding of child development and youth issues,” said Ms Paredes. “In very general terms, kids are in the process of trying to figure out who they are and where they fit in. That’s where Ben’s Lighthouse mission connects back in. Ben’s Lighthouse,” she said, “is fostering positive development.”

The Ben’s Lighthouse board, for which Ben Wheeler’s parents, Francine and David Wheeler, serve as advisors, has been working very hard the past 18 months, Ms Paredes said, to put together programs to help young people. “That’s where I come in,” she said.

Ms Paredes has been charged with growing the youth programs offered through Ben’s Lighthouse, according to what the youth of Newtown indicates it wants. “It’s always centered around empathy, self-awareness, and volunteerism,” she said. She hopes to offer after-school programs that connect with students on a technological level, expanding them in a manner that helps young people learn about themselves.

“Working in the school system, you see a lot of where the need is for young people. Ben’s Lighthouse allows us to create programs that add to youth development, outside of school,” she said.

She will be keeping in mind the foundation’s mission in all that she offers, said Ms Paredes. The annual June Ben’s Lighthouse Festival will continue to be a community affair, Ms Paredes said. Ben’s Lighthouse has sent youth volunteer groups to Oklahoma City, Okla., the summer of 2013, following horrific tornadoes in that area, and this past summer, to Colorado, where volunteers helped rebuild homes damaged in floods and met with survivors of the Columbine and Aurora, Colo., shootings. Future trips to aid other cities in need will be scheduled according to what is appropriate, she said.

Ben’s Lighthouse, while housed in Trinity Episcopal Church, is a community organization, stressed Ms Paredes. The group will have a presence at the September 13–14 Newtown Arts Festival at Fairfield Hills, where participants will be encouraged to take part in creating a community mural and painting positive messages on river rocks. Ben’s Lighthouse will also be at this fall’s Pumpkin Festival at Fairfield Hills. “Our booths are about creating fun memories,” said Ms Paredes.

“It’s nice to be back in Newtown, and very exciting to be at the start of new programming for Ben’s Lighthouse. It’s exciting to be part of such a committed and connected group,” she said. “To be able to start from that foundation and help it to grow is a great opportunity.”

Ben’s Lighthouse welcomes all youth and adult volunteers from the community. To find out more about volunteering, contact Kelly Paredes at kparedes@benslighthouse.org or call 203-426-9070, extension 15.