We’re happy to bring you our second Employee Spotlight just in time for good holiday season reading. This regular feature acquaints you with both an ARRO team member, and a nonprofit in which they – and now ARRO – support.
This spotlight falls on Evan Charnoff, a Scientist I for ARRO Consulting, who works in our Lititz office.
>> Where do you call home?
I grew up in in Brecknock and Mohnton, PA, with my parents and brother Collin, and went to Governor Mifflin School District. Today, I’m back living in Mohnton, and am engaged to my fiancé, Amber. We’re getting married in November of 2023!
>> Where did you go to school? What did you study?
I went to Virginia Tech where my major was Water (Resources, Policy, and Management) with focuses in Water Quality for Science, and Water, Climate, Energy, and Global Issues for Policy. I also studied Green Engineering as my minor.
>> What brought you to ARRO? What is your title?
I am currently a Scientist I at ARRO. I was looking for a place where I could have a good balance of engineering and science work to use both parts of my degree. I was also interested in having a good balance of field and office work. ARRO was the perfect fit.
>> A nonprofit which you’ve supported for over five years is Service Without Borders. Can you share a few details on what they do?
Service Without Borders (SWB) has three major projects: Tanzania, Nepal, and India. In Nepal, the work is focused in a small village called Dhumba, and is focused on helping them recover from the 2015 earthquake. As it is a very agriculturally-based area, SWB has worked on rebuilding and redesigning the village’s irrigation channel, as well as establishing a solar heated hut for locals to use as a gathering place.
In Tanzania, the work involves improving the facilities at the Engaruka English Medium Primary School. For example, a recent project involved helping to develop the school’s computer lab.
The India project is still new. Long-term goals and projects are still being developed in partnership with the Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences.
>> Can you share a few details on what you do for SWB?
Throughout college, I had the privilege of traveling to Nepal twice to work on an irrigation channel, as well as the warming hut I described earlier. I spent two years as the Nepal Project team lead, and one as the president, helping run and organize all of SWB’s projects.
>> What led you to support SWB?
While entering college, I was looking to join an organization that focuses on helping supply clean water to third world countries. I was instantly drawn to their approach to service, which starts with asking locals what they need, rather than forcing our own way in. Having a footprint with different types of projects in different countries was also a big plus for me.
>> ARRO is excited to support their mission with a donation. What are a few ways monetary donations are used at SWB?
Donations can be project-specific, or divided evenly between projects. Either way, SWB uses these funds for project materials, and to help cover travel accommodation costs.
Learn more about Service Without Borders and how you can support them at http://swbvt.weebly.com.