Kayla Kraft
It’s the smile that draws you in. Then once you get to know her, you realize what a strong and determined woman Kayla Kraft really is.
Kayla may have entered the world as a preemie weighing only two pounds, six ounces, but it was her family who inspired her to push forward.
Kayla has cerebral palsy due to a lack of oxygen flow to the brain at birth. With the love and support of her grandmother, mother, and aunt she is thriving.
“Growing up I had many struggles, but my family was always there for me and helped in any way they could,” Kayla recalls. “My family kept me involved in many activities through the years which kept me very social.”
She first started attending CPUCC with her grandmother Karen Kraft. The services, people, and the accessibility of the worship screen kept bringing her back. Kayla officially became a CPUCC member in August 2019.
It wasn’t long before Kayla was drawn to something else – the choir.
“I also am inspired by Pastor Scott because he teaches me to be a better singer and soloist,” Kayla said. “He also teaches me not to be nervous by doing exercises before we sing.”
Besides being a member of the choir Kayla enjoys helping with the annual Music Festival and especially Trunk or Treat.
“It is one of my favorite activities because I get to hand out candy to all the trick or treaters and also get to decorate our trunk with Halloween decorations,” she said. “It’s cool to see how everyone decorates.”
A graduate of the Class of Cedar Cliff High School Class of 2012, Kayla continued to build her confidence with a few jobs including being a teacher’s assistant at a daycare before landing her current position at Home Goods – a job she loves!
Family is very important to Kayla. She loves spending quality time with her mom, Shelley, grandfather Walter, her Aunt Kim, and her brother and sister Myla and Anthony. Also, she enjoys horseback therapy riding, doing activities on her iPad, and traveling.
“My mom and aunt inspire me to be a better person and to always be kind and courteous to others and help as much as I can.” she said.
In addition to instilling strength and independence, Kayla’s grandmother Karen helped to teach her the right way of God.
That’s brought back to her when she listens to Pastor Cindy’s sermons and when she is working with Pastor Scott in the choir.
When asked why she feels others should join CPUCC, Kayla explains that by joining and being active, it creates unity among the church and its members. Teamwork makes everything function better and things run much more smoothly. Plus, “the congregation is nice to everyone and very joyful!”
While others may inspire Kayla, her friendliness, determination, and again – that smile – inspire so many others.
September 2024
Meet other members of Colonial Park United Church of Christ by clicking HERE.
