Melissa first learned about The 1010 Project in 2004 through founder Andrew Syed, when Andrew (then a student at the Joseph Korbel School for International Studies) participated in one of the University of Denver’s International Service Learning (ISL) programs, which Melissa was administering. Melissa was (and is) intrigued with The 1010 Project’s unique combination of poverty education/advocacy work with their effective approach to development through building relationships, joining efforts that local people have already initiated, and income generation. Of course she also values The 1010 Project’s emphasis on learning through service.

Melissa and her husband Shane joined the board in 2006, seeing this as a concrete way to respond to the tremendous opportunities God has given them to study, work, and travel abroad in Asia, Europe, and Africa. The 1010 Project also provides an avenue to share Christ’s love while growing in their knowledge about poverty issues from a Biblical social justice perspective and engaging in conversations about development (as well as topics like fair trade, human rights, human trafficking, etc.) from an interfaith perspective. They have been inspired by working with, listening to, and learning from The 1010 Project staff, partners, and volunteers in Colorado and East Africa who are creatively working to break the cycle of poverty.

After working in ISL at DU for nearly nine years, Melissa is now enjoying being a “stay at home” wife and mom; scrapbooking as a Creative Memories consultant; running with their dog, Zeke; volunteering with Esther House (Open Door Ministries); growing in her relationship with Christ in community with their spiritual family at Highline Community Church; and training for triathlons as fundraisers for The 1010 Project.