Jenni Heimach

As a former elementary teacher, Jenni taught several grades that included migrant students and students receiving ESL services. During her teaching career, she served on the Equity Team for the M.S.D. of Wayne Township Schools. Her efforts in encouraging diversity were recognized at the district level when she received the district’s M.G. Raby Distinguished Service Award, which recognizes individuals who have shown efforts and deeds supporting and celebrating diversity and equality within the school district.

In 2007, she traveled to Turkey for an interfaith trip with faith and community leaders from Indianapolis. This trip occurred several years after 9/11, and America, along with many other countries, increasingly struggled with overt instances of cultural and religious bias. Traveling to Turkey, Jenni witnessed what happens when diverse cultures come together to celebrate diversity rather than be divided by it. She was part of a group of Americans and Turks who sat together sharing stories and learning about each other’s cultures, communities, faiths, and experiences while drinking tea and eating baklava together. This experience was pivotal to her willingness to learn more about other cultures and how she was called to respond to racism and bias.

Jenni has also served on the Disabling Racism Design Team for the Presbytery of Whitewater Valley PC(USA). The variety of experiences she has had over her career and as part of her faith journey have brought her to love working with refugees as they build a sustainable life. When not serving as a tutor, driver, or fellow tea drinker with the new neighbors FSTN serves, Jenni enjoys reading, knitting, caring for her grandchildren, traveling, hiking, and backpacking with her husband, Robert.

Oh, and playing lots of pickleball.