When our beloved Junior Gathering Coordinator Patsy Arnold Martin announced her retirement in 2018, FGC launched an extensive and thoughtful search for a Friend who shared the same passion for nurturing the spiritual lives of children as Patsy. As we begin a new year, we are happy to announce that Marian Dalke will be joining our staff in the newly-renamed role of Gathering Youth Coordinator!

When our beloved Junior Gathering Coordinator Patsy Arnold Martin announced her retirement in 2018, FGC launched an extensive and thoughtful search for a Friend who shared the same passion for nurturing the spiritual lives of children as Patsy. As we begin a new year, we are happy to announce that Marian Dalke will be joining our staff in the newly-renamed role of Gathering Youth Coordinator!

Marian is excited to join the FGC team to combine her varied interests in youth development, social justice, and Quaker spirituality. She is well-versed in working with preschool to high school age groups, bringing twelve years of experience in youth development work in childcare, summer camp, after-school programming, and conference settings to her new role.

With family roots in the Shenandoah Valley, Marian Dalke was raised in Philadelphia Yearly Meeting and is a member of Radnor Friends Monthly Meeting. Since 2012, she has served as a volunteer Friendly Adult Presence in Philadelphia Yearly Meeting’s Young Friends program.

Marian has always had a deep connection with the natural world, and in addition to her youth development experience, she has dedicated the past twelve years to sustainable agriculture and food justice movements. For over seven years, Marian has been dedicated to managing intergenerational health, wellness, and gardening programs in the Puerto Rican community of North Philadelphia. In 2015, she launched Raíces de Cambio, a garden internship program for high school youth.

A graduate of Oberlin College with a Bachelor’s Degree in Comparative American Studies, Marian’s other passions include herbalism and anti-oppression facilitation. She lives with her wife and two cats in Philadelphia and is a proud aunt.

Please join us in welcoming Marian to FGC!