For Kevin Bourland, community service is a way of life.
Kevin first learned about Friends In Deed through Rabbi Joshua, though the organization had already become familiar to his family. His wife, Carol, had been donating to the Food Pantry and preparing lunches for The Women’s Room long before Kevin joined the board. When Rabbi Joshua invited him to get more involved, it felt like a natural next step.
“What’s important to me is to be of service,” Kevin says. “It’s easy to get caught up in negativity or pessimism about the world, but I try to turn that energy into something positive by showing up, by helping others.”
Before joining Friends In Deed, Kevin served on the board of The Gooden Center, Pasadena’s oldest men’s recovery home, where he eventually became board chair. Under his leadership, the organization expanded its mission to include rehabilitation and mental health services for both men and women, a testament to Kevin’s commitment to progress and compassion.
Today, as a member of the Friends In Deed Finance Committee, Kevin brings his thoughtful leadership and deep sense of responsibility to the work of sustaining our programs and mission. When he’s not serving the community or helping clients as a residential real estate agent with Compass, Kevin and Carol, who will celebrate 40 years of marriage next month, are likely off exploring new places, whether abroad or with their Airstream trailer in tow.
For Kevin, the heart of service is simple: stay engaged, stay hopeful, and keep giving back.