MEETING NEEDS WITH INDEPENDENCE AND DIGNITY

Featuring Jeff Pomranka

Executive Director of Meals on Wheels Loveland and Berthoud, Colorado

July 2023

One of Jeff Pomranka’s favorite proverbs is “if you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together.” He sees this proverb as a reflection of the work of Meals on Wheels. Without volunteers, supporters, donors, and clients, Meals on Wheels of Loveland and Berthoud would not have been able to go so far in their service to those in need. 

Meals on Wheels is a nationwide organization serving meals to homebound seniors and other individuals in need. The Loveland Berthoud Meals on Wheels Jeff serves as executive director of delivers about 1,400 meals to 280-300 individuals on a weekly basis. As executive director Jeff’s mission is to ensure that the organization's core service of delivering nutritious meals and helping clients receive support needed to remain in their homes continues. 

Jeff has long ties to the Loveland community which is reflected in his commitment to those within the Loveland and Berthoud Community. He grew up in Loveland, leaving due to his father’s military service and college, and returned in 2016 to Loveland when the opportunity to serve with Meals on Wheels presented itself. 

Prior to serving with Meals on Wheels, Jeff served with a number of nonprofits in the St. Louis area. He began his career serving with organizations such as Paraquad, BJC Behavioral Health and Judevine Center for Autism. He later became the C.O.O. of Down Syndrome Association of Greater St. Louis where he and the Executive Director grew the organization over 300% in four years. Many of the nonprofits he worked for prior to Meals on Wheels helped people with disabilities gain or maintain a level of independence in their life, equipping him well for his current role as executive director. Before joining  Meals on Wheels he was the Founding Director of School Operations at KIPP Wisdom Academy, an elementary school that opened in 2015. 

As Executive Director, Jeff is dedicated to ensuring that Meals on Wheels, an organization that has served the Loveland and Berthoud community for many years, continues to do so well into the future. 

COURAGEOUSLY HOPEFUL

Featuring Katie Davis Majors

Founder of Amazima Ministries in Uganda

July 2023

“Sometimes the things we would never pick for our lives gives us opportunities to receive God’s provision, to see Him working in ways we otherwise might not experience.”

Today Katie Davis Majors is an author, speaker, founder of Amazima Ministries, and a wife and mother to 15 children. The journey to who she is today began when she was 18 years old and traveled to Uganda for the first time. A year later she deferred college for a year to return to Uganda to teach in an orphanage. Uganda became her home and the place she pursued justice for those around her in need. 

In Uganda, Katie saw a need for providing funds for children’s education and initially started raising funds to meet these needs. When three sisters in this sponsoring program were suddenly on their own with nowhere to go, Katie took them in and began to foster them. She eventually began the process to adopt the three sisters when she turned 21. She continued to provide a place of safety for many Ugandan children, adopting 14 children total by the age of 23 in Uganda. In 2015 she met her husband in Uganda and they were married in 2015. 

In addition to her work serving in an orphanage, fostering, and adopting children in need of a home in Uganda, Katire founded Amazima Ministries in 2008. The word Amazima means truth in the native Luganda language and encompasses Katie’s hope to “see lives transformed, relationships restored, and communities changed through the truth of Jesus Christ.” The sponsorship program began with 40 students and has since grown to include ministry programs including the Amazima School a primary and secondary school in Jinja Uganda; medical outreach for basic hygiene education and counseling; farming outreach providing sustainable and profitable vocational training; and a growing scholarship program for students to receive an education as well as meals, medical care, and discipleship. 

Katie is also the author of three books, two of which are New York Times best sellers: Kisses from Katie and Daring to Hope. Safe All Along is her newest publication. She also serves as a well sought after speaker and seeks to encourage individuals living out their purpose, those who are fostering or adopting, and individuals looking for discipleship in their faith journey. 

Her work and ministry began because Katie saw a need and took action to fill it despite her age and her circumstances. She is an inspiration to those who are looking to make a difference in the communities they are placed in.