Originally from California, Janna Moats founded Loom International in 2007 after encountering and spending significant time with Local Experts around the world serving the most vulnerable, often in very isolated situations. She committed herself to listening, understanding and working together with them to find solutions to bringing sustainable change to their communities. She believes that “standing far-off” is simply not an option. As the mother of two and grandmother of six, she also enjoys spending time with family here in Portland.

Colleen Milstein is from South Africa, where she was exposed to both the injustice and potential of her region. She spent time working amongst the poorest in the squatter camps of the western Cape where she saw first hand the complexities of generational poverty. With a Masters degree in Global Development and Justice from Multnomah University, Colleen focuses on training in critical thinking skills and the implementation of tangible and sustainable strategies that will bring people out of poverty.

Jenna grew up in Portland, Oregon. She studied Creative Writing and Youth and Family Ministry at Corban University and worked for a local anti-trafficking organization before joining Loom. She is passionate about engaging the Church in areas of injustice and giving vulnerable and marginalized communities a voice through storytelling.

Heather Wood comes to us from Canada where she worked as a teacher to the deaf and children with learning difficulties, all the while developing a deep commitment to children at risk. Heather joined Loom to help develop and spearhead the Celebrating Children Workshop. She has trained Local Experts in Bangladesh, Romania, Rwanda and Nepal, with the conviction that when a society places the wellbeing of the child central, everyone thrives.

Yvonne began working as a teacher in her home country, South Africa until 1980 when she moved to Thailand to join the refugee relief efforts to Cambodian and Vietnamese refugees living in camps. She spent over thirty years of her life in relief and development work in the region until 2016 when she joined Loom. She brings with her an incredible wealth of experience, commitment and passion for those most vulnerable.

Ed is a California native and spent thirteen years in Kona, Hawaii as Director of publications and Human Resources with YWAM’s University of the Nations. His experience in pastoral care and personnel development led to his involvement with Loom’s Celebrating Children Workshop. He is passionate about seeing Local Experts on the field fully equipped to serve children at risk.

Kay spent her formative years in Africa where she developed an early love of beauty, hospitality and food. Together with her husband, Ed, she worked in pastoral ministries for thirteen years as well as in Personnel Development in Kona, Hawaii. She has a strong desire to see people fulfilled in their calling, especially those on the field. An early member of Loom, she helped develop the Celebrating Children Workshop and continues to be involved in this training around the world.

Philippa is originally from New Zealand and has worked in missions for the past 29 years. She has a passion to see people empowered and equipped in every area so they can live life to the fullest and wholeheartedly follow the call of God. She has received training in debriefing, counseling and spiritual direction and carries a high value for people care. Philippa is committed to intercession and its importance within the home office and on the field with Local Experts.

Hanna was born and raised in Germany and early on began a path of caring for the most vulnerable when her sister with special needs joined their family from within the foster-care system. She went on to study at theological seminary in Switzerland and has committed her life to mobilizing those around her to partner within areas of social justice. She joined Loom in 2012 and is passionate about engaging with the church on behalf of the vulnerable.

Eva was born in Sweden but grew up in the midwestern United States, where her family immigrated.  She completed a BA in Sociology and has served with her husband in missions for over 30 years. During this time, she was struck by the extreme neglect and abuse that children suffer globally. By using art and creativity in many countries she has found some keys to healing trauma and bringing hope to the most vulnerable, which has become a key piece of Loom’s curriculum and training worldwide.

Sharon recently graduated from Multnomah University with an MA in Global Development and Justice. She also holds a degree in Tourism and Travel Management and loves planning and being on trips, conversations around the table, and supporting businesses for sustainable development. Sharon is excited to join the Loom team to learn, grow and participate in what God is doing in fostering holistic families for children; the greatest in his kingdom.

Ninziza Darlene Kamanzi studied Child Development in her undergraduate program at Texas Christian University, and went on to get her Masters in Developmental Trauma. She loves to sing and dance, sometimes in her house, and learn about different countries and languages. She is excited to learn about what it looks like to start something like a family resource center in Rwanda, and to learn from everyone at Loom.

Jessi grew up in Southern California and received her bachelors in Psychology and Masters in Social Work from University of Massachusetts Global. She has worked with children in a variety of capacities and in multiple countries for over 25 years. Jessi is an artist and is passionate about teaching the therapeutic aspects of art and the importance of creativity and innovation.  

Von 2000 bis 2003 führte Janna Moats Recherchen, Besuche vor Ort und hunderte von Gesprächen mit sozialen Innovatorinnen und Innovatoren in ihrem Umfeld durch, die mit gefährdeten Kindern im Rahmen des Netzwerks von Jugend Mit Einer Mission (JMEM, weltweit bekannt als Youth With A Mission) arbeiteten. Dies veranlasste sie, 2005 mit anderen Gleichgesinnten das “Children At Risk Network” (CRN, dt: Netzwerk für gefährdete Kinder) zu gründen. In 2006 hatte das CRN seinen Hauptsitz in Burtigny, Schweiz. Der Name änderte sich zu “Women and Children’s Advocacy Centre” (dt: Zentrum der Fürsprache für Frauen & Kinder) um und sie begannen mit der Entwicklung ihrer Schwerpunkt-Schulung für Betreuer, dem “Celebrating Children Workshop” (CCW, dt: Workshop, um Kinder neu wertzuschätzen).

2007 fand das erste internationale Training in Bali und Burma für Betreuerinnen und Betreuer statt, die mit gefährdeten Kindern arbeiteten. 2009 startete der erste offizielle CCW in Ruanda mit einer Gruppe von fünfzig Geistlichen Leiterinnen und Leitern, Lehrerinnen und Lehrern und Betreuerinnen und Betreuern. Dieser „Testlauf“ des Lehrplans hat schon früh die Weichen dafür gestellt, dass Loom Neurowissenschaften, Kunsttherapie und kreative Lernpraktiken in zukünftige Schulungen mit einbezieht.

Im Jahr 2010 zog das Zentrum nach Portland um, um sich als gemeinnützige öffentliche Wohltätigkeitsorganisation in den Vereinigten Staaten zu etablieren und gleichzeitig die Beziehungen zu JMEM aufrechtzuerhalten. Das Team traf 2012 die Entscheidung, sich zu Loom International umzubenennen.

Von 2012 bis 2015 führte Loom sein CCW-Training in Bangladesch, Rumänien, Mexiko und Portland durch und reiste für Standortbesuche und Recherchen nach Indien, Rumänien, Ungarn und Moldawien. Im Jahr 2015 wurde auch ein neuer Lehrplan namens ReNew geschrieben, um einwöchige Retreats für Betreuerinnen und Betreuer anzubieten. 2016 startete das Loom Team das ReNew-Retreat in Uganda und unterrichteten Teil 1 des CCW in Tansania.

2017 fand ein Wechsel statt: Bis zu diesem Zeitpunkt waren Mitarbeiter von Loom zu Schulungen in der ganzen Welt unterwegs gewesen. Sie halfen dort aus, wo immer sie von lokalen Führungskräften eingeladen wurden. Aber der feste Wunsch, einheimische Gemeinschaften ganzheitlich in die Lage zu versetzen, sich um Kinder und Familien zu kümmern, veranlasste sie zu diesem Zeitpunkt dazu, nach einer Region zu suchen, auf die sie sich für 5-7 Jahre lang intensiv konzentrieren könnten. Nach langen Gesprächen, Überlegen, Gebet fragten sie sich, ob es Ostafrika sein könnte. 2016 verbrachte ein Loom Team drei Monate vor Ort, um zu recherchieren und Projekte und Partnerinnen und Partner zu besuchen und um zu sehen, ob diese Region gut zu ihrem Vorhaben passen könnte (und das war auch der Fall!).

2017 kehrten die Loomers nach Ostafrika zurück, um den zweiten Teil des CCW abzuschließen und eine Mitarbeiterkonferenz in Tansania sowie Fokusgruppen in den Bereichen Sozialunternehmen, Bildung und Laiensozialarbeiter abzuhalten. Auf Einladung der lokalen Verantwortlichen kam Loom 2018 und 2019 für ReGenerate-Beratungsgruppen und 2020 für Start-up-Schulungen für Kleinunternehmen, CCW-Koordinatoren-Schulungen und für Schulungen zum Umgang mit Traumata zurück.

Im Dezember 2020 startete Loom International offiziell Thrive Africa, ein Netzwerk von Basisprojekten in ganz Afrika. Um diese Arbeit zu erleichtern, wurde im gleichen Jahr Loom Africa als gemeinnützige Organisation registriert.