Stewards of God's Resources
Jim & Kris Zaloudek
When Kris Zaloudek was new to Kaleo, a Christian women’s giving circle with a heart for women and children in Indianapolis, she had the opportunity to visit several of their partners in urban ministry—including Neighborhood Christian Legal Clinic. For Kris, this initial meeting was enough to convince her that she wanted to be involved with an organization that provided pro bono legal services. “I knew this was a place that was changing lives,” she says, “and I wanted to do my part to support the work of the Clinic.”
A self-described “behind-the-scenes” person, Kris, her husband Jim, and their two daughters are now stalwart supporters of the Clinic. They give of both their time and financial resources. They find ways to encourage and help the Clinic staff that are inventive and yet also simple. For instance, in advance of our 25th anniversary Justice for All Gala this month, the Zaloudek family sent personalized cookies with notes of encouragement to our main office for the staff to enjoy. When our Engagement Team needs assistance with a mailing, Kris shows up, ready to spend her time addressing and sealing envelopes. When we need an extra set of hands at an event, Kris is quick to offer hers.
This type of work and care is not reserved only for the Clinic. Kris, who started her career as a high school English teacher, currently volunteers at Grace Church in Noblesville as an ESL teacher for adults and as a women’s Bible study group leader. She plays violin in the Carmel Symphony Orchestra and serves on the Board as the Musician Representative. She also runs an after-school string orchestra at Westfield High School and teaches violin lessons.
As for the Zaloudek family’s financial commitment to the Clinic, it is closely connected to their faith. “My husband and I believe that we are stewards of the resources that God has given us,” Kris says. “We want to be generous with our time and resources to serve others. We also think it's important to teach the values of service and generosity to our kids by example.”
One of the things their family most looks forward to each year is attending the Clinic’s annual Justice for All Gala. “Hearing directly from people about their struggles and how their lives were transformed because of the legal help they received is emotionally powerful,” she says.
Ultimately, Kris and her family’s support of the Clinic is rooted in how much they connect with the mission. “The Clinic helps people who are stuck in systems of injustice and who are being taken advantage of by other people who try to exert financial or legal control over them,” she says. “The good work of the attorneys and staff changes the lives of families and enables people to live free from the legal burdens that have been oppressing them.” And it is thanks to people like Kris and her family that the Clinic is empowered to do this work.
To learn more about giving to the Clinic, please visit here. To learn more about volunteering for the Clinic, please visit here.