Lana Matthew

Lana Matthew
Board Member
I am the the founder of New Connections of South King County in Kent WA. Having been a volunteer in the Kent area for over 20 years and at the RJC for twenty years, Kent Jail for eighteen years and SCORE for six years the ability to contribute into lives positively is rewarding.
I was educated in London, England and spent many years living in Europe and Australia before landing in Hawaii for a year and finally here in Seattle. While waiting on my Green card I became a volunteer at the Kent Lutheran Church for ten years helping to organize, greet and serve the homeless in our community. Five years with DAWN on a Crisis Line. My first encounter with the judicial system was volunteering for Kent probation inputing data for officers. This experience opened my eyes to the judicial system. When RJC opened its doors I jumped at the opportunity as a volunteer to work with offenders and their families which led me to start my journey with New Connections of South King County where I am still volunteering.
I am also a state certified domestic violence counselor of twenty years. I love my life as I consider never having a “job” in my life just a series of ongoing adventures, happily married, our home is home to many stray cats and am satisfied that I can now not only give back but offer some small piece of wisdom and encouragement as “by the Grace of God it could have been Me”.