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Meet Your Neighbor: Diana Weeks
It’s hard to believe that it’s been over twenty years since the world learned a new language…the SMS (short message service) or text message. AAMOF (As a matter of fact) over six billion texts are deployed each day in the U.S. according to Forester Research, with a whopping 8.6 trillion annually sent on a global basis. Of these messages, Pew Internet Research indicates that 75% of teens use text messaging and on average send 60 messages per day. The numbers continue to grow and with more children with access to mobile devices, it is imperative that parents and kids be aware of potential problems. 89123 resident Diana Weeks, a Client Relations Manager with Imagine Communications is making a difference in the community by volunteering her time to a number of causes, including SM@RT Connections, an organization that works under the umbrella of the Henderson Community Foundation. The organization’s purpose is to help educate parents and children about the dangers of the Internet, sexting and how to become good digital citizens.
By: Callie Thomas
The nine year resident is active in the community, not only through her work with Imagine Communications and the clients she assists, but also as an important part of her faith. While SM@RT Connections is an organization that’s close to her heart, she also makes time to help others through her church, where she teaches Sunday school and she and her husband Eric manage the church’s bus ministry to transport kids from lower income communities to church each week. Diana Weeks talks about her philanthropic efforts and why working with organizations that assist children are especially important.
How did you become involved with SM@RT Connections?
“I am a part of Leadership Henderson’s Class of 2014 and have become an active volunteer. As a class we chose SM@RT Connections because this is an issue that is growing in vast proportions amongst our youth today. The mobile phone is the new desktop and with it comes a somewhat ambiguous platform from which bullies and pedophiles can play. The Internet has become part of the daily fabric of our lives and people need to know how to use it safely.”
How do you assist the group?
“As a volunteer I head up the Marketing & Outreach Committee for the class project. The committee has worked diligently these last couple of months to try to market SM@RT Connections to the Southern Nevada community.”
Any experiences you would like to share?
“We created the SM@RT Connections brand and logo, manage the project’s social media (Facebook & Instagram) accounts and we’ve developed the website, beingsmart.org. In the future, we will continue to look for media opportunities for SM@RT Connections as well.”
Why is giving back so important to you?
“It means everything to me. It’s an ordinance of my faith and it keeps me humble. I’m reminded that no matter how bad I think I’ve got it, others have it worse. It is encouraging to see the lives that are transformed.”
How do you unplug after a busy day?
“Yoga and a long hot shower but I also enjoy designing stationary, reading and writing short stories. I also love going on picnics with my husband and traveling with my younger sister. Every year we visit a place we’ve never been together and have fun.”
If you weren’t in your present career, what other job would you like to do?
“I am originally from Nairobi, Kenya and am the third daughter in a family of four girls. My father, Charles Chege, worked in the Kenyan Air Force and as the attaché to the Kenyan Embassy in New Delhi, India. I would love to own/manage an orphanage in Kenya for kids who have been orphaned as a result of the AIDs epidemic. I am passionate about kids and working in any type of child ministry/service or volunteer opportunity.”
