Meet TFK's New Grant Writer, Scarlett Shepard!

Archive Post from March 14th, 2017

With our new Employee Spotlight series, we will get to know the people who make up the talented and passionate Trips for Kids team.  For our first edition, we shine the spotlight on Scarlett Shepard, TFK's new Grant Writer extraordinaire.

Welcome to the TFK family, Scarlett!

Scarlett comes to TFK with nearly 15 years of nonprofit experience in youth development, health, poverty alleviation and education. She could not be more excited to blend two of her biggest passions in life, biking and community advocacy, as TFK's Grant Writer. 

“I was drawn to TFK’s mission because I really believe that every young person deserves to have access to high-quality, hands-on enrichment activities, field trips, and environmental stewardship. I saw the job posting and thought, ‘Wow this is perfect’. I really did have that moment where I realized the impact bicycling had on me as a child.”

A Bay Area native and lifelong avid cyclist, Scarlett’s passion for bikes began at a young age. As the child of a single parent, low-income family living in an area of geographic isolation, having access to a bike was life changing. 

“My mom taught me how to ride a bike; I still have memories of it. I was so scared to have her let go of the bike. I remember looking back and seeing that she was not holding on at all; I was doing it by myself. I remember feeling so accomplished. That’s one of the things that I’m teaching my daughter right now - to ride a bike, to pedal, to keep going and keep trying because it’s a process.”

​Learning to ride a bike meant independence and self-reliance. For Scarlett, the bike was her key to the city, friends and community - it opened the door to a world of adventure and exploration.

"It was the first time I felt I could do anything. I could be independent and didn’t have to rely on anyone else. Biking was a great way to see my community, build self-confidence, be physically active and get fit.”

At TFK, we are united by our passion for biking and shared belief that bicycles have the power to change lives. We could not be more excited to add Scarlett’s experience and enthusiasm to our team.

Scarlett is excited to connect with our wonderful TFK community - don’t be shy, reach out and say hello!
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Scarlett Shepard,
Grant Writer
| 415-458-2986 ext. 6 | [email protected] |