Meet Cap Corps' New Program Director: Kyra Koons!
“Cap Corps was such a pivotal year in my life, so I am very excited and grateful that I get to guide the program into its next season. I am most excited about building relationships with volunteers, witnessing how God will work in their lives during their year of service and accompanying them in the highs and lows throughout their journey.”
~Kyra Koons
New Director Announcement:
Dear Capuchin Franciscan Volunteer Corps (Cap Corps) Community,
After consideration of several applicants for the position of Cap Corps Director, the Province of St. Augustine of Capuchin Friars is pleased to announce that volunteer 15’-16’ Kyra Koons (Malamood) has accepted the position to lead Cap Corps into a new era of faith-based service rooted in community living and Franciscan spirituality. Building on the work of previous volunteers, leaders, and partners in service, the Capuchins look forward to working with Kyra and are excited about the commitment and experience she will bring to Cap Corps in this role.
Kyra brings a wealth of experience and a deep understanding of our mission and values, having served as a volunteer with us in 2015-2016. She was deeply formed in her faith and developed strong friendships with many of the Capuchin friars, finding them a real witness to the faith. Following her volunteer year, Kyra returned to Villanova University to pursue her Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Since then, Kyra has remained involved with Cap Corps as a frequent retreat cook, volunteer recruiter at college fairs, and by attending countless Capuchin events and celebrations.
Of her new role Kyra said, “Cap Corps was such a pivotal year in my life, so I am very excited and grateful that I get to guide the program into its next season. I am most excited about building relationships with volunteers, witnessing how God will work in their lives during their year of service and accompanying them in the highs and lows throughout their journey.” Her dedication to service and her passion for making a difference in the lives of others have always been evident, and we are confident that she will continue to inspire and lead us in her new capacity.
In her role as Program Director, Kyra will bring her management and leadership skills, as well as her invaluable clinical experience, to guide our volunteers, foster community engagement, and advance our mission of serving those in need with compassion and humility. With her leadership and vision, we look forward to achieving even greater impact in the communities we serve.
Current Director, Magaret McIntyre Stacy stated, "It's not easy to leave Cap Corps, but it brings me great peace and excitement that it's in the very capable hands of Kyra Koons. She was an exceptional volunteer who was fully committed to all parts of the program: her service placement at the Spanish Catholic Center, community, prayer, simplicity, and developing relationships with the friars and all who she encountered. I know she will be even more so as the Program Director!"
Please join Fr, Bob Marva, Provincial, Director, Margaret McIntyre Stacy, and the Cap Corps Board of Directors, in extending a warm welcome to Kyra as she steps into her new role. We are excited to have her with us in this capacity, and we are grateful for the expertise, enthusiasm, and dedication she brings to our organization.
Thank you all for your continued support of the Capuchin Franciscan Volunteer Corps. Together, with Kyra's leadership, we will continue to make a positive difference in the world.
In Gratitude,
Ana Chapa ‘00
Board Chair
Cap Corps
Kyra Over the Years
Biography:
Kyra Koons is originally from Guilderland, NY and now resides in a close suburb of Philadelphia with her husband Joe and their son Joey. Kyra first came to the Philadelphia area to attend Villanova University where she majored in Psychology and Humanities. While Kyra grew up Catholic, it wasn’t until college and within her Humanities classes that the seeds of faith were planted. She encountered the Good, the True and the Beautiful in her studies, asking questions that challenged her understanding of herself and the world, and developed a desire to know God. This led her to pursue a Catholic volunteer year of service after graduation, which providentially became Capuchin Franciscan Volunteer Corps. Kyra lived in community in Washington, DC, served at the Spanish Catholic Center. It was during her year of service that she was more deeply formed in the faith and gave her life to Christ. She developed strong friendships with many of the Capuchin brothers and it was in these men that she saw a real witness to the faith.
Upon completing her year of service, she returned to Villanova University to pursue her Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Kyra had always considered counseling as a possible career to merge her natural interest and love of people with her passion to help others. Her service experience in Cap Corps reinforced these desires and provided the clarity to move forward with pursuing further education. After completing her degree, Kyra worked for Merakey, a non-profit community mental health agency that serves the underinsured and non-insured population of Philadelphia. Here she honed her skills as both a therapist and a clinical supervisor, having multiple therapy clients and overseeing several therapists and interns. Kyra looks forward to using her management and leadership skills in her role as Cap Corps Program Director, as well as the invaluable clinical experience she gained while working in the field of mental health.
“Kyra is passionate about her faith and about loving other people. I often say that she is incredibly impressive, not just
as a person but in everything she does. Even when things get difficult, she pours her heart into her work. Just as I am blessed to be her husband, Cap Corps is blessed to have such a committed and faithful person as its director.”
Joe Koons
Kyra's Husband
"It's not easy to leave Cap Corps, but it brings me great peace and excitement that it's in the very capable hands of Kyra Koons. She was an exceptional volunteer who was fully committed to all parts of the program: her service placement at the Spanish Catholic Center, community, prayer, simplicity, and developing relationships with the friars and all who she encountered. I know she will be even more so as the Program Director!"
Margaret McIntyre Stacy
Current Cap Corps Director
"Her dedication to service and her passion for making a difference in the lives of others have always been evident, and we are confident that she will continue to inspire and lead us in her new capacity...With her leadership and vision, we look forward to achieving even greater impact in the communities we serve. "
Ana Chapa
Cap Corps Board Chair