Head shot image of Anna Carlson

Anna Carlson, a member of Omega Espresso Bar’s board, shares about the joy she finds in serving others and the growth opportunities that result.

Editor’s Note: This article is the tenth in a series written by the members of Omega Espresso Bar’s Board of Directors. Each one will be answering questions or sharing why he or she is committed to playing a vital role in Omega’s story as it unfolds.
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OEB: Who are you?

Anna: My name is Anna Carlson, and I am the newest member on the board of Omega Espresso Bar, serving as Treasurer.

OEB: What draws you to be a part of Omega Espresso Bar’s cause?

Anna: I had the opportunity to hear about OEB before it was even an established entity. Susie Cottis and Janna Kainos, the founders, are two people that I love very much. As OEB has blossomed, I have watched them grow as individuals and in their love for other people.

I have had the pleasure of being a part of Omega in various small ways through the years. I am the type of person who loves to help people out—especially with something they love and are passionate about. Soon, Susie and Janna’s passion for OEB’s mission drew me in even deeper.

I would say my ultimate draw with Omega Espresso Bar is that I get to put my gifting to work so we can accomplish the mission together. Since joining the board, I have enjoyed every minute of learning more about that mission and helping it flourish. I pray that my participation will be a help to these women we serve. I join in with the rest of the Omega Espresso Bar team, reaching out to them in love.

OEB: What comes to mind when you think about the potential for Omega Espresso Bar’s impact?

Anna: I think we are still early-on in the process of discovering our full potential. It has been so amazing to see the network of people that has already shown up with like-minded love and hearts for service.

Coffee and coffee shops are an established part of community these days. We have just barely scraped the surface of ways that Omega Espresso Bar can become a deeper part of the existing neighborhood coffee scene.

Partnerships are vital to our growth. Now, OEB has an entire network of care in place before we even begin working with one of our interns. This is an exciting area of opportunity for us.

And yet, there are many more opportunities out there than Omega can currently address. One-on-one meetings, trainings, networking, establishing a hub of resources—these and more are already happening. But in time, we’ll need more people and more resources to come alongside us so we can fully address these opportunities together.

It is not our aim to just get people out of bad situations and into jobs. Instead, Omega Espresso Bar provides the opportunity for full life transformation. (We offer our support for as long as these women need us, too.)

Resources of all kinds are necessary for that sort of sustained influence. I think the potential is abundant for developing creative partnerships with businesses, non-profits, and individuals. I look forward to seeing what the next year brings.

OEB: Anything else you’d like to share?

Anna: I am just excited to be a part of OEB!

Honestly, I feel as though I don’t have that much to give. But, I am hopeful that I can be a help and serve others. I get to foster the growth of the prayer, the financial support, and the love that allows Omega to bring hope and a future to women in need.

As a side note, even if you don’t like coffee, you can be a part of Omega Espresso Bar. I don’t like coffee, but no one holds that against me. They just offer me tea!

Omega