Current Fellows
JyMia Fann
Hello, my name is JyMia Fann (she/her)! As a Hands and Feet Fellow, I will be working as a Case Manager with Homeward Bound’s AHOPE Day Center. My hometown is Bartow, Georgia. I graduated as an honors student from Jefferson County High School in Louisville, Georgia, and attended South Georgia College afterward, where I received my Marketing Degree. At my College I worked as the Business Office Assistant and was Student Government President. After graduating in May of 2023, I visited North Carolina and began working at Camp Tekoa in Hendersonville. I have also worked as a home health nurse and an assistant store manager. I enjoy singing, shopping, and cooking, and I really love music. Fun fact: I am also a hairstylist! I’ve chosen to be a Fellow with Hands and Feet because I feel like this year God has shown me many things within myself, and I am excited about uncovering my skills and exploring new opportunities in Western North Carolina. My goals for the year are to excel in my work, to grow a positive bond with the other Fellows, and to become part of a strong God-based community. My community can expect kindness, compassion, and joy out of me! It’s a hard world today and everyone deserves a safe space. I’m excited about my future because I know it’s bright! After my year at Hands and Feet, I plan to go back to school to get my degree in Social Work.
Christian Johnson
Hello, my name is Christian Johnson (He/Him)! As a Hands and Feet Fellow, I will be working as a Construction Craft Laborer on Habitat for Humanity’s Home Repair Crew. I was born in Havlock, North Carolina. My dad was in the military for 20 years so we moved around a lot, going to Japan, Hawaii, Michigan, & back and forth to Florida. I have 7 other siblings, (3 brothers and 4 sisters), and we are all very close and love family gatherings! I graduated from Palm Beach Central High School, and after high school I enlisted with the Marines. When I got home, I worked in retail, in the trades, at an art gallery, and at the Pisgah Inn. In my spare time, I enjoy working on diorama displays and building projects, and I collect antique and vintage memorabilia. I also enjoy playing frisbee and pool, hiking, kayaking, reading personal/spiritual growth books, and attending Church. I look forward to working with Hands and Feet of Asheville for the experience of community work; the feeling and accomplishment of reaching out to others who are in crisis and need. I plan to gain as much guidance, feedback, and knowledge as I can in the helping professions, so that once the Program ends, I can find a Career and my own place here in Western North Carolina.
Zoe Rumley
Hello, my name is Zoe Rumley (She/Her)! As a Hands and Feet Fellow, I will be working as all-around Support Staff for Swannanoa Valley Christian Ministry and doing Development and Communications at Black Mountain Counseling Center. I was born in Winter Springs, Florida, and have lived in North Carolina for 15 years. My heart resides in the mountains of Western North Carolina. I earned my bachelor's degree in Recreation and Sports Management from Mars Hill University, where I fell in love with this area. I am currently pursuing a Master's in Business Administration with a focus on Social Impact at Lenoir-Rhyne University. I've previously worked in the outdoor industry, in sports and recreation, and in politics. I’ve been a long-time volunteer with 4-H and Girl Scouts. Recognized for my volunteerism and positivity at Mars Hill University, one unique thing about me is my love for all things outdoors. Running and hiking are my go-to activities for unwinding and staying connected to my passions. I even worked as a Caving Guide this Summer at Camp Tekoa! I chose to be a Hands and Feet Fellow because I’m passionate about service work, especially through a ministry mindset. In the year ahead, my hopes are centered around building authentic relationships with members of the community, wherever the Lord sends me. I aspire to be a compassionate listener and a supportive presence for individuals facing challenges. By advocating for their voices to be heard, I aim to fulfill Hands and Feet’s mission of fostering empowerment and resilience within Western North Carolina. Becoming a Hands and Feet Fellow will give me the opportunities for personal growth and meaningful connections I need to become a servant-leader on the frontlines of the intersection between ministry, recreation, and social impact work!
Megan Stacy
Hello, my name is Megan Stacy (She/Her)! As a Hands and Feet Fellow, I will be working as a Job Coach with The Arc of North Carolina’s Project SEARCH. I am from a small town called Haskell in Muskogee County, Oklahoma, where I’ve been living practically all my life. I studied at Tulsa Community College and in 2024 I went to Connors State College and completed a certification in early child care known as the Certification of Mastery Teacher. I’ve worked in early childhood education since graduating high school and I’ve also clerked at the Muskogee Public Library for several years. I’m very passionate about ASL (American Sign Language), the neurodiverse community, and the LGBTQ+ community. I spend my time driving, reading, playing games (video or physical), fixing up a tiny home of my own to live on my family’s land, and taking care of loved ones. I am a country girl and love being in nature and going into the outdoors! Whenever I am feeling creative, I love to get lost in my own world of writing. I chose Hands and Feet of Asheville because it hit home to me. I need a fresh start, and to find myself again. I’m excited to make new friends, explore my spirituality, and along the way to become a stronger person than what I was before. I want to become a peer mentor to disabled adults and grow in my professional journey, and I know that Hands and Feet will get me there!
Ellie Stewart
Hello, my name is Ellie Stewart (They/Them)! As a Hands and Feet Fellow, I will be working as a Storyteller and Communications Coordinator for Haywood Street Congregation. My hometown is Memphis, TN, but I’ve lived in Asheville, NC, Charleston, SC, Tallahassee, FL, and Davidson, NC. In May, I graduated from Davidson College with a major in Communication Studies and a concentration in Gender and Sexuality Studies. Previously, I served as the Youth Ministry Intern at First Baptist Church of Asheville, interned at Charleston Youth Mission, and worked as a Communication Consultant with the Davidson College Speaking Center. In the summer of 2023, I received a grant from the Davidson College Chaplains’ Office to serve as the Pastoral Intern at First Presbyterian Church of Tallahassee, where I realized I was discerning a call to ministry. I completed my communication studies capstone project entitled, “Speaking Queer Truths in Faith Life: Examining Communication to LGBTQ+ Students by Religious Life at Davidson College.” This project is one of my proudest accomplishments, as I was able to use my experiences being one of the only openly genderqueer student religious leaders to make future LGBTQIA+ communities safer in religious and spiritual life. I love art, particularly drawing, crochet, beading, and painting. Since graduating I’ve been able to dive back into reading as well! I came to Hands and Feet of Asheville by seeking ways to intentionally live in community and put my values into action. This year, I hope to grow as a better friend, community member, and neighbor. Next year, I intend to go to seminary within the PC(USA) denomination!
Amaya Tipps
Hello, my name is Amaya Tipps (She/Her)! As a Hands and Feet Fellow, I will be working as a Watershed Outreach Coordinator for Asheville GreenWorks. My hometown is Hickory, North Carolina. I was born in Statesville, North Carolina, but my early years were spent in Houston, Texas. I graduated from Mars Hill University with a degree in Zoology and a minor in Environmental studies. I've had the pleasure of volunteering at diverse places like the Mars Hill Public Library, The Texas Zoo, and the Madison County Animal Shelter, among others. In my free time, you'll likely find me outdoors, exploring nature and hunting for frogs and mushrooms. I enjoy roller skating, getting lost in a good book, and dabbling in various hobbies—some of which I drop, only to rediscover later when I find all the supplies I've bought! I've chosen to be a Hands and Feet Fellow because I want to continue giving back to the community, meeting new people, and figuring out my next steps after graduating college. As I continue to navigate this ever-changing world, I look forward to embracing new challenges, growing personally and professionally, and making a positive impact on the world around me! I hope to further my education after Hands and Feet at the University of Tennessee Knoxville, where I aim to study in their Ecology and Evolutionary Biology program.