DBT40 Honoree: Caitlyn Kuhn
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AGE: 25
Founder/President, Pursuit for Peace (Magnolia)
Introduction: Caitlyn Kuhn is the founder and president of Pursuit For Peace, a nonprofit that was formed in 2017. This organization consists of 20-plus volunteers who dress as popular characters to visit sick and disabled children that are experiencing dark times. She hopes to inspire others to make a difference.
Why should you be chosen for DBT 40? I should be chosen for DBT 40 because I have created an organization that is unlike anything that has ever been done in Delaware. The services that we offer to these children and their families is something so rare. We get to see the child as “normal,” regardless of his or her diagnosis, while also providing the families with a moment of normalcy.
Professional accomplishments: My biggest accomplishments are accredited to Pursuit for Peace. What started as an idea in 2016, turned into a group in 2017 of 10 like-minded female volunteers. I started contacting businesses to donate to our cause, just pitching an idea. We finally got the funds needed, and we had our first visit in September 2017. We grew so big, that we became a nonprofit in June 2018, and we currently have more than 20 volunteers.
Leadership examples: The different leadership examples that I have demonstrated throughout the duration of Pursuit For Peace consists of research, donor development, growth, ideas to action, and volunteer management. Research is done to display accuracy of characters and costumes, donor development and fundraising has provided everything for our organization. We started with nothing and have had to work hard to gain the support. We now have 15 characters and continuously work to add more. The most important leadership quality I have learned is realizing how valuable your team is.
Community service: Along with visiting sick and disabled children, we have also been able to participate in community events. We have teamed up with organizations such as; A.I. duPont, Arise Delaware, Ronald McDonald House of Delaware, Alex’s Lemonade Stand, Delaware State Police, Down Syndrome Association of Delaware, St. Jude’s and more! Overall, we have had more than 50 visits/events and have seen more than 3,000 children.
Family and education:My husband Tyler, who is also a DBT 40 2019 winner. We have two of the cutest dogs. I have a bachelor’s in psychology from Wilmington University, and currently have a semester left toward my graduate degree in human services counseling with a focus in crisis and trauma from Liberty University.
