Meet Riley Jones | Non-Profit Event Coordinator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Riley Jones and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Riley, what principle do you value most?
Compassion. We live in a world where there is a great amount of suffering, but we can combat suffering and needs unmet with small acts of compassion. It is what prompts us to help others, to meet them in their pain, and tell them that they aren’t alone. And at the end of the day, that’s what we all need–to know that someone else sees us in our darkest hour.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I started off at Lifeline as a summer intern, not having any idea what that internship would turn into. After a few months of helping with odds and ends, Lifeline offered me a position on their Communications Team, and I dove into the non-profit world! And I loved it. I always wanted a job that did more than pay the bills–I wanted to do meaningful work, work that helped people. Lifeline gave me that opportunity. I wore a hundred different hats working in Communications which really pushed me out of my comfort zone as a 20-year-old entering the work force.
Eventually Lifeline opened a Centre in my area, a space where people from the community could come together to pack meals for people around the world who are facing hunger. I went from Communications to Event Coordinating, and now, I get to plan all of the meal packs at the Lifeline Denver Centre. I meet people in the community, invite them into the Centre to pack meals for people in need, and host all of our meal pack events. I have so much fun and get to be a part of helping get meals to people who need them. I never imagined I would get paid to do something so meaningful, but I work for a Lifeline Centre and get to help people every day!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
As a Colorado-native, I have had plenty of opportunity to explore our beautiful state! Anyone visiting definitely needs to go on a Colorado hike, but it’s good to start with something easy, especially if they are coming from sea level! Red Rocks is always a great pick. After a morning visit to the renowned ampitheater and walking trails, I would head to downtown Denver for some Little Man’s ice cream. Their Space Junkie ice cream flavor is to die for! And you can’t come to Colorado and not go to the mountains. Beaver Creek is my favorite mountain town. The ice skating rink in their European-inspired town makes you feel like you’re living in a Hallmark movie.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would not have the privilege of working for such an incredible non-profit without my dear friend and mentor, Sheri Sutton. Sheri, if you hadn’t given me the chance to learn and grow as your intern at Lifeline, I wouldn’t be working as Lifeline’s Denver Centre Event Coordinator. Thank you for believing in me, pushing me out of my comfort zone, and helping me get to where I am today!

Website: https://lifeline.org/DENpack

Instagram: lifelinedenvercentre

Facebook: Lifeline Denver Centre