Karena Klisares
Karena was welcomed onto the staff at Aspire in August of 2017 to serve as the program coordinator. Joining this team has really allowed her to follow her passion in building children and their families up in their relationships with the Lord. Personal experience with mentors who shared the love of Jesus with her during difficult seasons in her life has shown her the incredible value they can have in a young person’s life.
Originally from the western suburbs of Chicago, Karena has worked with several different Christian organizations that strive toward a similar mission; to equip people with the love of God and the resources they need to live life as their best selves. Her work in the non-profit sector has led her to many different countries where she has seen that despite the different languages spoken and vast amount of cultures – the love and hope found in Jesus is the same all around the world. She most recently lived in Nashville for four years where she received a degree in Social Work and worked with a Christian organization called Youth Encouragement Services. Y.E.S. serves the city’s underprivileged youth in a variety of ways including tutoring, mentoring, and fostering life styles that center around the saving power of Jesus Christ. Birmingham has been home for the past five months and she is excited her passions in serving youth and sharing the love of Christ have found themselves a home at Aspire.
As an extroverted, friendly person, Karena feels most happy being around people. Some of her favorite people to spend time with include her husband Evan, family, friends, and her very loved and spoiled pup- Huckleberry. In her free time you can find her taking long walks with Evan and Huckleberry, reading, trying out new recipes (she loves to cook!), playing tennis, or hosting a get together. She has a hard time choosing just one Bible verse as her favorite but she carries Romans 15:13 & Proverbs 16:9 close to her heart.
Originally from the western suburbs of Chicago, Karena has worked with several different Christian organizations that strive toward a similar mission; to equip people with the love of God and the resources they need to live life as their best selves. Her work in the non-profit sector has led her to many different countries where she has seen that despite the different languages spoken and vast amount of cultures – the love and hope found in Jesus is the same all around the world. She most recently lived in Nashville for four years where she received a degree in Social Work and worked with a Christian organization called Youth Encouragement Services. Y.E.S. serves the city’s underprivileged youth in a variety of ways including tutoring, mentoring, and fostering life styles that center around the saving power of Jesus Christ. Birmingham has been home for the past five months and she is excited her passions in serving youth and sharing the love of Christ have found themselves a home at Aspire.
As an extroverted, friendly person, Karena feels most happy being around people. Some of her favorite people to spend time with include her husband Evan, family, friends, and her very loved and spoiled pup- Huckleberry. In her free time you can find her taking long walks with Evan and Huckleberry, reading, trying out new recipes (she loves to cook!), playing tennis, or hosting a get together. She has a hard time choosing just one Bible verse as her favorite but she carries Romans 15:13 & Proverbs 16:9 close to her heart.
