Staff Spotlight: Oman King
Today, we’d like to shine a special spotlight on Oman King, who works as part of our Community Connections Match Support. This charming and passionate caseworker has been with us for almost 3 years now, and we are excited to see her take on this new role!
Outside of work, one might find Oman walking her dog, Bosco, or going to see her family, like her twin sister. She also revels in the chance to take a nap or, really, anything artsy! Crafts, pottery—she loves it all, which led her to start assisting with teaching art classes at Board and Brush! Typically on the weekends, this job gives her time to destress from the workweek and have a bit of fun.
Oman was born in Boston, moving to Fort Wayne around 20 years ago. She received her associate’s degree in Human Services from Ivy Tech before furthering her education in this area through a bachelor’s degree from Purdue Fort Wayne. It was there that she met classmate Miranda Jackson, who told her she works at Big Brothers Big Sisters. Although Oman didn’t think much of it at the time, when a position opened up at the agency, it caught her eye. Still in school, Oman applied on a whim and got the job–and we’re glad she did!
In September of 2022, Oman took her creative spirit and passion for working with others to Big Brothers Big Sisters, where she started as a part-time Site-Based Match Support Specialist for our School Buddies program. She was in this position for much of her career here, recently switching to full-time and then transitioning to working with two different Site-Based programs, College Connections+ and the High School Leadership Program.
You didn’t really plan to work at Big Brothers Big Sisters, so how has your relationship with the mission changed throughout your time here?
Oman: Yeah, I think I stuck around because I really enjoy doing what I do. I know that I wanna make an impact in the community, and I feel like I have a purpose here, and I’m making an impact with the kids, and the volunteers, and my matches in my caseload. And I’ve stuck around because I love seeing how the matches grow from the very beginning all the way throughout all the programs that we have… I love seeing that growth.
As part of Community Connections Match Support, Oman works with two of our newest Site-Based programs. College Connections+ (CC+) is a modified School Buddies program that provides college students the opportunity to mentor a Little, with more convenient locations and schedules. In the High School Leadership Program (HSLP), high school students get the opportunity to be matched with Littles, meeting at the school for games, homework, and more. Not only do the elementary students get a role model to look up to, but the young high schooler mentors get to grow their leadership skills and practice being a good example for others.
What’s your favorite thing about your job and working at Big Brothers Big Sisters?
Oman: My favorite thing about the job is working with the kids. I love that for the Site-Based position, I’m able to go into the schools and talk with the kids instead of talking to them over the phone. I feel like it makes it a little bit more personable, and I get to know them a little bit better and know their personalities. And I feel like once they see me more consistently at the schools that they start to trust me more, and they’re excited to see me. So, I think it’s really worth it when I get to see them at schools and they’re excited to talk to me.
What kind of work goes into helping a volunteer build a relationship in Site-Based?
Oman: Something that goes into it, I would say, is coaching the volunteer. So if it’s a volunteer who has never been in the program, giving them advice to have an open mind going into the match.
All the kids are different, and we match the volunteers with a child who we think that they would really connect with. And so just coaching them and letting them know to have an open mind going into this… Also, just letting them know that you’re available if they ever need anything.
As she transitions to her new role, Oman is trying to keep an open mind. It’s a big change for her, but the idea of serving more matches and having more purpose at the agency keeps her feeling positive. Even though she isn’t a School Buddy yet, travelling a lot for her position here, she hopes to make that step one day. She has seen the effects the program has on the kids—growth and maturing—and on the volunteers she works with too.
What would you say to people who are in a similar situation, where they’re thinking about signing up, but they’re just not quite sure?
Oman: I would say sign up because it’s so worth it. And even if you don’t really know what to expect or what you’re getting yourself into, that’s what the case managers are here for. To answer those questions.
And I’ve had volunteers who have signed up and then once we explain the program to them, they’re like, ‘I’m not sure if that’s going to work with me.’ And that’s OK. At least you tried. I mean, it doesn’t hurt to just take a shot and just try and see… it really impacts a child’s life. We have kids in this program who are just looking for a consistent person in their life that they can spend time with and have fun.
However, Oman knows firsthand the effect of mentorship, not just from watching the kids on her caseload. She has her own mentor, Joanne Alvarez, whom she met at Ivy Tech. Joanne started the multicultural club there, which Oman joined and later became president of.
Joanne helped get Oman more involved and interested in helping the community, a value that she carries with her still. She became a trusted person in her life whom Oman could always turn to for advice, whether personal, educational, or professional. Tenacious and highly engaged in the community, Joanne also knows many people from networking, so Oman knew if Joanne couldn’t help her, she might have a connection who could.
What’s a good piece of advice you’ve gotten from your mentor?
Oman: I think it’s just the way that she presents herself. She’s very independent. She’s very strong-willed, and I want to be like that. So, I feel like she’s somebody that I look up to.
And just the way that she handles her personal life and also her professional life—because she’s also going through changes, currently. And the way that she’s handling it and the positive mindset that she has about it, I really want to be like that. So, I feel like I’m just learning a lot from the way that she’s handling her life changes.
Knowing the comfort of simply having someone to look up to helps fuel Oman’s passion for working with the kids in her programs.
Thank you, Oman, for the inspiring positivity you bring to work! Congratulations on your new role as Community Connections Match Support!
