If you have ever been to the EMCC Program at Whittier, then you most likely have had the pleasure of meeting Benon Kalisa. While his technical title is Program Manager, he is so much more. Leader, friend, jokester, and soccer fan are just a few terms to describe Benon.

Benon has spent most of his life actively serving others to the best of his ability. He grew up in Africa, born of refugee parents living in exile. As a youth, he and his family witnessed the atrocities of the genocide in his home country of Rwanda, which would shape the man Benon became. He reflected on the kindness shown to him by international organizations such as UNICEF and Save the Children, and how those interactions propelled him into a life of service and giving back. After high school, Benon began serving his community and paying forward the generosity that was given to him by working for a nonprofit organization called Never Again Rwanda. There, he worked with widows and orphans of the genocide, giving care and service to those with similar stories as himself. In 2016 he moved to America to continue his work with hopes of growing his experience and knowledge. While he was approached by many different companies and offered positions, the mission of Hope Services called to him.

He applied, went through the interview process, and was hired as a part time employee. He started part time in the Employment program and part time in Project Search, being utilized when and where he was needed. He made an immediate connection with the clients and realized what a difference the impact of his service made. After a time, he was promoted to program coordinator with Tailored Day Services and eventually promoted to the Program Manager at EMCC. Still fueled by a desire to increase his knowledge of leadership, improve his management skills, and grow as an individual, he enrolled in a Master of Organizational Leadership, where he recently graduated. Benon believes that leadership should not be used as a source of wielding power, but rather as a position to better serve others, and that is how he approaches his duties.

Benon’s primary duties include making sure staff have all the resources they need to do their job well. He is sure to give parents and caregivers the resources they need to care for their loved ones while making sure he maintains the standards of services the clients are getting and paying for. But that is not what makes Benon come to work every day. What energizes him—more than coffee—is coming into work and hearing his clients yell his name with joy. Even if he is having a very bad day, or if he is tired from his three-hour commute, a joke, a smile or a wave hello from a participant gives him everything he needs to be happy. He says the genuine and authentic nature of the clients brings a smile to his face and keeps him going. He loves to laugh and the program constantly brings out that part of who he is. While he has worked for other companies, Benon said he has never felt more welcomed or filled with belonging as he does at Hope. He has a great team he enjoys working with and loves the interaction of people from all departments.

When asked about his cultural identities and views, Benon says that on paper forms or paperwork, he identifies as Rwandan African American; but because he lived as a refugee in a different country, he learned about adopting and accepting the many differences between cultures and doesn’t identify with any particular group. He found that while the singular approach to culture and beliefs may work for, and even be comforting to some people, he believes that every culture or group of people can teach you something new, if you open yourself up to the experience. It’s not about what group you belong to, it’s about the community and types of people you associate yourself with. He loves everybody and wants to learn as much as he can from everyone.

Benon celebrates American cultural traditions such as Thanksgiving, even though it was not a holiday he celebrated when he was younger. He enjoys the fact that there is a day to be thankful for what you have: family, friends, health, laughter and love. He also identifies and honors his Rwandan heritage and continues traditions from that culture such as the 100 Days of Mourning. During this time, he does not celebrate things people normally celebrate, such as birthdays or anniversaries. Instead, he honors the memories and lives lost in his country during the Rwandan Genocide. It is important for him to learn from and celebrate both sets of values and teach all aspect of these cultural traditions, both American and African to his daughter, so that she can grow without fear and without confining herself to one set of standards. He wants to grow and learn from everyone, and hopes one day, she will too. Benon knows that if you only see yourself in one bubble, you are limiting yourself and limiting your potential to see where or how you fit into life.

In his free time, Benon is a father who sets aside Saturdays just for father/daughter time and enjoys spending time with his mother and friends. He is also an avid Arsenal soccer fan and will sacrifice a few hours of sleep to watch their games. He enjoys going to the gym and creating memorable friendships and connections. Some people may view his life as boring, but for him, he says it is enough.

What does the future hold for Benon? That is a great question and one he eagerly answered. He sees the next five years as a route to advancing his education and successfully advancing the EMCC program. He wants to create a more organized management and team system as the program grows, and help it to become self-oriented and sustainable. He sees himself continuing to work with the clients and staff that bring him joy, and hopes that he can continue to give to the community he so cherishes.