For Christen Allen, service is not just a way to spend her time — it’s a way of life. As a sixth-grade paraprofessional at Central Intermediate School, Christen works daily alongside teachers to support students with special education needs. But her story doesn’t begin with a classroom assignment. It begins with volunteering — the thread that weaves through every chapter of her life.

Christen didn’t set out to work in education. For years, she managed departments at Target, a career that came with responsibility, long hours, and a corporate culture that valued community engagement. “They were big on volunteering,” Christen recalls. “And that stuck with me.” She and her husband traveled as far as Chicago to participate in Martin Luther King Day of Service projects. Closer to home, she volunteered through her church.

When her children entered Monmouth-Roseville schools, Christen found herself at Central — first as a room parent, then as a regular volunteer. “I was visible,” she says. “And volunteering creates opportunities.” Sure enough, a principal asked her to consider leading a new program called Makerspace. For several years, she ran that special, working with every fourth, fifth, and sixth grader in the building each week.

When COVID closed Makerspace in 2020, Christen shifted into her current role supporting sixth-grade students with IEPs. She now spends her days helping with math instruction, reinforcing lessons, and building relationships that make learning possible. “I think I’m good at making connections,” she says simply. “That’s what keeps me coming back.”

But Christen’s contributions don’t stop at the end of the school day. For 14 years, she has directed an after-school program at Lincoln Homes, a housing complex in Monmouth. The program began under the First Street Armory, a community center, and transitioned into a nonprofit when the Armory closed. Today, Christen and her husband operate it as their own 501(c)(3), funded through federal housing grants.

The program serves children from kindergarten through sixth grade, offering snacks, homework help, and social-emotional learning. Many of the kids are English learners whose parents cannot easily assist with schoolwork. Christen and her volunteers step in, guiding students and modeling positive peer interaction. “If we weren’t there, those kids would be left to their own devices,” she explains. “And we all know that doesn’t always lead to the best choices.”

For parents, the program is free — a gift that provides peace of mind during crucial after-school hours. For students, it’s a safe space with trusted adults who care. And for Christen, it’s another way to live out her belief that helping others is both necessary and rewarding.

Education has become something of a family calling. Two of Christen’s three children are pursuing teaching careers — one already teaching second grade at United School District, the other completing her senior year at Monmouth College in education. Her youngest is still in high school, but Christen wouldn’t be surprised if he follows the same path. “We’ve asked him,” she says with a laugh. “We’ll see.”

Her children grew up volunteering alongside her at the after-school program, experiences that led to their own job opportunities at places like the YMCA and Rainbow Riders. “Volunteering opens doors,” Christen insists. “It helps others, but it benefits you, too.”

Christen grew up in nearby Kirkwood, a small town with little diversity. Moving into the Monmouth-Roseville district as an adult, she quickly saw the difference. “There’s such a wide range of ethnicities and backgrounds here,” she says. “It’s been so helpful for my kids. They’re not scared when they walk into situations with people who are different from them. They see that as normal.”

She believes Monmouth-Roseville students graduate with an advantage — an ability to navigate the world’s diversity with confidence. “It gives them a step up,” she explains. “They know how to interact with others, and that matters.”

Despite all she does, Christen resists the spotlight. For her, service is about strengthening others, not seeking recognition. “Don’t volunteer to be in the spotlight,” she advises. “Serving others is more rewarding for you in the background.”

From her work in sixth-grade classrooms to her leadership in after-school programs, Christen Allen embodies that philosophy. She has built a life of giving back, not for accolades, but for the quiet satisfaction of knowing she made a difference.

As she sees it, volunteering is not just about helping — it’s about building community. And in Monmouth-Roseville, she has built one that her students, her children, and her neighbors can count on.