Thirteen-year-old Leah Norquist set out to complete a seventh-grade service project and ended up rallying her family, church, and community to support the women of Kenton Women’s Village. In this Voices of Hope spotlight, meet Leah and her mom, Emily, whose homemade meals, bake sales, and generous hearts are already making a lasting impact.
Lucky for Catholic Charities of Oregon, Leah Norquist didn’t want to spend time picking up trash somewhere on the Oregon Coast, and her mom, Emily, loves to cook. So, when it came time for Leah, 13, to launch her seventh-grade service-learning project at All Saints School, she chose making meals for the women participating in our Kenton Women’s Village program. The pair didn’t stop at just coming up with tasty vegetarian recipes, shopping, cooking and delivering the meals, either. Leah and Emily held multiple bake sales at their church and first raised money to purchase quilted comforters and then bought much-needed cleaning supplies, toilet paper and paper towels. Leah will present her service-learning project at school sometime in the spring, but she and her mom aim to continue fundraising and bringing meals for KWV.
When not helping out in the community, Leah loves math and theater and playing football with her brother. Emily encourages others, no matter their age or whether service learning is part of their school curriculum, to find an organization that you believe in and find ways to support them.
Name: Leah and Emily Norquist
Role with Catholic Charities: Volunteer
Year you first connected with Catholic Charities: 2026
How did you hear about Catholic Charities of Oregon, and what prompted you to get involved? We’ve heard about Catholic Charities over the years as we are Catholic ourselves and have heard about this organization through our church. However, we did not get involved with Catholic Charities until this year. Leah had a service project for school; she was given a list of possible charities to volunteer for, and she decided to volunteer with Catholic Charities, the Kenton Women’s Village specifically.
What does being part of Catholic Charities/Catholic Social Teaching mean to you personally?
Emily: For me, it has been very meaningful to volunteer with Catholic Charities. I feel like I’ve been blessed with so much, and I want to give back or pay it forward to those who are less fortunate.
Leah: It makes me feel good when I can help homeless people who don’t have shelter or warm meals. I want to share how much food we have with people who don’t have as much.
What’s one story or moment from your time with Catholic Charities that you’ll never forget? We’ve only been with Catholic Charities for a couple months, but my favorite moment was seeing Allison’s shock over the number of comforters we purchased for the village. I felt so happy that we could contribute in an impactful way. (Allison Pantano-Rumsey is the KWV program coordinator)
What activities, situations or people most inspire you?
Emily: As an adult, I have a new appreciation for the priests and the nuns at my parish. I recognize now how much of their time is devoted to God and their church community. I am inspired by their faith and service every day!
Leah: My mom and some older girls I met through theater. My mom inspires me because she supports me in whatever I do, and I know that she’ll forgive me if I make mistakes. My theater friends inspire me to work hard at theater because they are such good actresses but also really nice people.
What advice would you give to someone who wants to get involved—whether through volunteering, donating or seeking support?
Emily: My advice is to pick an organization whose mission statement aligns with your values and then find volunteer activities that would be meaningful for you. For us, Leah and I both enjoy cooking and thought it would be special to bring healthy, homemade meals to the women at the Kenton Women’s Village.
Leah: Ask the organization what they need the most help with. We asked Kenton Women’s Village what supplies they needed the most so we could purchase the items that would be most helpful.
What’s your favorite book, movie, TV show, podcast or social media account—and why? (Pick one!)
Emily: My favorite book is The Carousel by Richard Paul Evans. It’s a touching love story about two very good people who have both undergone some tough situations but find their way back to each other. I received this book as a teenager. It’s been reread many times and a favorite ever since!
Leah: My favorite book is The Hunger Games because it makes me feel like women can do anything and be just as strong as men.
What’s on your personal “bucket list”—something you still hope to do, learn or experience?
Emily: I would love to do the Camino pilgrimage through Spain once my kids have left the nest. Both my parents and uncle have completed this pilgrimage, and it sounds like an amazing experience!
Leah: There’s a lot of stuff I’d love to do! I would like to get a lead role in a theater production, attend a Broadway musical, be in a Broadway musical, go to the Olympics…I dream big!