LEADERS

Jon Gordon

Jon attended St. Mary's College of California as a two sport athlete (intending to play soccer and baseball but ended up with soccer and basketball). After graduation he began working within the Television Industry as well as continuing to work with youth coaching High School Varsity Soccer and different forms of camps and retreats.

Jon went on to play professional soccer for a team in Central California. After his first season of playing professionally Jon chose to prioritize his "other interest" which was working with youth. Instead of continuing on with soccer he moved to Mexico City to live and work at an orphanage. On his return, he began working at a group home for those who were labeled as "emotionally disturbed." Along with being a senior counselor Jon trained all of the new staff members specializing in team building and the assesment and de- escalation of crisis situations. It was during recovery time from an injury suffered at the group home that Jon found Challenge Day.

Jon has over 14 years of experience working with teenagers of all ages in many different environments. (Camps, Athletics, Support Groups, Retreats, Volunteer Coordination, Team Facilitation/Building, Classrooms, Outdoor Education, etc.)

Jon grew up in the Bay Area the oldest of three children raised by their loving parents.

If you really knew me, you would know…

• My family is absolutely amazing and I love hanging out with them.
• Being a Challenge Day Leader is my dream job and merges my passion for personal change and social change.
• I have been fortunate enough to travel to many places inside and outside of our country and I believe that we are all able to have fun together regardless of differences.
• I let sports define me as a person for a long period of my life. I still love sports.
• I am a firm believer that it's not what you are doing but who you are doing it with.
• I love cereal.