KIN - CONNECT
  • Get Involved
    • Volunteer >
      • LaMP
      • Embrace Program
      • Adult English Programs
      • 2nd Home
      • Occasional Opportunities
      • Translate/Interpret
    • Training >
      • Adult English Teacher Certification
      • ELL Teacher Continuing Education
      • Cross-Cultural Seminar
      • Knoxville International Experience
      • Culture Orientation
    • Growth Resources
    • Events & Festivals
    • Other Language Classes
    • Finances & Donations
  • The Network
    • Partner Portal
    • Volunteer Portal
  • Resources for Local Internationals
    • Adult English Classes
    • Immigration & Naturalization
    • International businesses >
      • Restaurants
      • Food Trucks
    • Multilingual Churches >
      • Arabic
      • Burmese
      • Chinese
      • English
      • Kirundi
      • Korean
      • Romanian
      • Russian
      • Spanish
      • Swahili
    • Employment Assistance
    • Healthcare Resources
    • Driving Resources
    • Home Ownership & Money Management
  • Impact Stories
  • DONATE

Meet Our Team

Picture

Jani Whaley
Executive Director

Jani first joined KIN as Volunteer Outreach Coordinator in 2017, then stepped into the Executive Director role in 2020. Her previous experiences include working with refugees and other internationals both locally and overseas. Jani has six grown children and two grandchildren. She holds a bachelor’s degree in theology and nonprofit management from Johnson University. 
Picture

Bobbie McClain
English Language Learning (ELL) Coordinator

Bobbie came to KIN in summer, 2023 after serving as a local ELL program director. She found that ELL opens many opportunities to serve Knoxville's international community, which ignited a passion for Bobbie for Knoxville's immigrants.  She has three married children and five grandchildren. Bobbie holds a bachelor's degree in business education and an MBA from UT Martin.
Picture

Susie Isaac
Operations Director

Susie has been with KIN since it began in 2010 and served as Board secretary before coming on staff in late 2021. She and her husband, Issa, a native Arabic-speaker, have ministered to Knoxville's local Arabic-speaking community since moving to Knoxville in 2008. They have two children: one, a graduate of UT, and the other enrolled at The Ohio State University.  Susie holds a bachelor's degree in communications and a masters in Christian education.
Picture

Anna Garlington
​
Community Liaison

​Anna was on the team that founded KIN in 2010, serving with this committed group for 4 years before moving overseas. In 2021, she returned to metro Knoxville, and she is excited to be back in this new season with KIN! Anna is married to Ned, and they have four adult children. Anna is fluent in Spanish, French, and Moroccan Arabic. She holds a B.A. from Columbia International University.
Picture

Cindy Hood
​​Community Liaison

Cindy is wife to Brad and mom to Anna. She has been a member of Central Bearden Church for over 25 years.  In 2005, she lead her Sunday School class as they sponsored a refugee family through Bridge Refugee Services, setting set in motion a ministry calling to internationals in the Norwood community. She has been a volunteer with KIN since 2014. The Hoods relocated from West Knoxville to the Norwood community in April 2016 and are very excited about ministry opportunities God continues to give them there. In October 2018, Cindy was named Director of Welcome House Knoxville, an ecumenical ministry of Christian hospitality to internationals, established as a nonprofit in 2019. WHK exists to form long-term relationships through short-term housing. Cindy holds a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration from Cedarville University and is originally from West Virginia but LOVES Knoxville!

Board of Directors

Dick Nixdorf, Chairman
Jennifer Fiebig
Stanton Hadley
Svetlana Hutvert

Bob Mackey
Joseph Meinweiser

Charlotte Rufyiri
​Jani Whaley

About

Why KIN?
​
Our Team
​KIN's History
Statement of Faith
Numbers & Need
KIN in the News

Contact KIN

865.235.1476​
admin@kin-connect.org

Mailing
PO Box 31052
Knoxville, TN 37930
​
Office
6300 Deane Hill Drive
Knoxville, TN 37919
Picture
Picture
Proudly powered by Weebly
  • Get Involved
    • Volunteer >
      • LaMP
      • Embrace Program
      • Adult English Programs
      • 2nd Home
      • Occasional Opportunities
      • Translate/Interpret
    • Training >
      • Adult English Teacher Certification
      • ELL Teacher Continuing Education
      • Cross-Cultural Seminar
      • Knoxville International Experience
      • Culture Orientation
    • Growth Resources
    • Events & Festivals
    • Other Language Classes
    • Finances & Donations
  • The Network
    • Partner Portal
    • Volunteer Portal
  • Resources for Local Internationals
    • Adult English Classes
    • Immigration & Naturalization
    • International businesses >
      • Restaurants
      • Food Trucks
    • Multilingual Churches >
      • Arabic
      • Burmese
      • Chinese
      • English
      • Kirundi
      • Korean
      • Romanian
      • Russian
      • Spanish
      • Swahili
    • Employment Assistance
    • Healthcare Resources
    • Driving Resources
    • Home Ownership & Money Management
  • Impact Stories
  • DONATE