The Perfect Fit

Melissa Emery enjoys her volunteer position on the board for the Door Kewaunee Business Education Partnership, which “gives students the tools to make insightful decisions about their careers.”

Someone knew that Melissa Emery would be the perfect fit for the Door Kewaunee Business Education Partnership (DKBEP) board. Maybe it was the fact that she was raised and works in Door County and now lives in Kewaunee County. Maybe it was her passion for educating children of the two counties about the vast number of careers that are right out their back door. Whatever it was, Emery, a five-year board member, was in fact “the perfect fit.”

“DKBEP gives students the tools to make insightful decisions about their careers,” said Emery. “We really try to educate youth so that they can make important life decisions. We all have stereotypes of the types of work that is out there, but by putting students on a worksite or into a job shadow, they get to see with their own eyes what these jobs are all about.”

DKBEP, created in 1999, addresses the needs of local businesses in finding qualified employees. Their programming includes the High School Home Construction Project, the CNC Mobile Lab, the CNA Program and numerous other career focused programs.

Emery is committed to it all. But her commitment to the mission means that she needs to help in fundraising to keep these projects going. Each winter, DKBEP hosts a “Minute to Win It” Challenge in Kewaunee County and each summer hosts a Golf Challenge in Door County. (This year’s event is being held at the Orchards Golf Course on July 17, so there’s still time to get a team together!) Emery has refereed the “Minute to Win It” competitions, worked on silent auctions and raffles, and basically helped out in whatever capacity needed.

“I really believe in what this organization stands for,” said Emery. “It’s a great match for me both personally and professionally.”

Beyond being on the board, Emery would love to see more people involved in the events of DKBEP.

“Business owners can offer tours of their businesses to local kids or offer a job shadow. Business people can be presenters at the 8th Grade Career Day to let kids know what their job entails,” she said. “There are so many ways for people to volunteer within DKBEP and showcase all that Door and Kewaunee counties have to offer at the same time.”

For additional information regarding DKBEP or volunteer opportunities within the organization, contact Tara LeClair at 920.743.3113 ext. 205 or via email at [email protected].

For volunteer opportunities in Door County, please visit the Volunteer Center website at http://www.VolunteerDoorCounty.com or contact the Volunteer Center at 920.746.7704 to request a Volunteer Guide.