Curiosity

Kira says she is unable to have a normal amount of interest in anything. If she loves it, she wants to breathe in as much information as possible. Ask her about theater, Formula One racing, or social work and you will find that her interests become your interest too. She captivates your attention with her enthusiastic presentation and captivating voice. Still, behind the fearless facts, Kira wrestled with a quieter storm and wondered if faith could make room for a brain that never lets up.

Kira grew up in a church that valued social justice and community service. Throughout childhood and her youth, Kira struggled with her mental health. It was in those moments when her church surrounded her with support and love. She found that in the midst of her darkest moments, God was the closest, and her faith was the strongest. Kira knew that she was privileged to have advocates in her life and would stop at nothing to become that advocate for others. 

When arriving at UNC Wilmington, Kira’s interest in advocacy led her to major in Social Work. It was a place where her interest in compassion and justice could funnel through what she was studying and where she wanted to pursue a professional career. 

Only one thing was missing: a faith community to undergird her journey. She tried several campus ministries that didn’t seem to fit what she had in mind. After being welcomed in, slowly harmful rhetoric became more commonplace. “I want people to feel safe around me,” Kira explains, “and if I’m surrounding myself with people who don’t have the same values, then others won't believe I’m a safe place.”

But one thing is for certain with Kira, she doesn’t give up. When she saw that Wingspan was hosting a Narcan training, she knew that was going to be her next try at campus ministry. Recognizing that Wingspan cared about the wellbeing of our neighbors and classmates was the intersection of faith and advocacy that she had been searching for. 

Through Wingspan, Kira hasn’t just found a community where she can be an advocate for others, but where others can support her in return. “I’m never sure when I should share about my autism,” Kira admits, “in other spaces people aren’t as willing to have an open-mind. But in Wingspan, our inclusive nature means we have a broader perspective of everything. Everyone has been willing to have an open mind and learn about autism. It makes me feel more confident.”

As she finishes up her studies and graduates this Spring, Kira is grateful for her time with Wingspan. Her faith is what drew her to Social Work, and social justice is a core value in the practice. Wingspan was the link she needed to connect her faith to her passion, her profession, and Christ.

“Faith just makes sense to my life now. Wingspan gave me the space to explore that. Through Social Work, I can follow the commandments of Christ to be loving of all people.”

She still inhales everything she loves, only now her passion exhales as mercy, anchored by a faith that keeps pace with her curious mind.