Alumni Spotlight: Kirstyn Ooten
Appalachian Center for Equality is committed to sustaining long-term relationships with youth participants by continuing to offer resources, mentorship, and support beyond high school graduation. As part of that ongoing commitment, we are excited to highlight our friend, alum, and now employee, Kirstyn as she shares about her experience as program participant and alum.
How did you get involved with ACE? How long have you been a part of the program?
I became involved with ACE as a freshman at Tug Valley High School in 2015. I was part of our school group named GLOW (Girls Leading Our World). Since then, I’ve stayed connected with the program the past decade and came on staff last year.
Why were you interested in joining ACE? What kept you involved?
I was first interested in joining ACE when a group of upperclassmen were recruiting for the program and encouraged me to get involved. The youth leadership program, GLOW, was the first space where I truly felt supported, respected, and heard as a young person growing up in southern West Virginia. Through that experience, I became an advocate and organizer at a young age. I was able to discover more about myself and my passions, and I gained access to opportunities and resources I wouldn’t have had otherwise.
How did ACE support you during your time in high school?
Appalachian Center for Equality supported me throughout high school by creating an environment where I could develop my voice and gain confidence in using it. Through the program, I was surrounded by mentors who encouraged critical thinking, civic engagement, and advocacy around issues impacting our communities. ACE provided meaningful leadership opportunities, introduced me to organizing and social justice work, and connected me with people across the region who have become lifelong friends.
As a student navigating trauma and a different set of needs than many of my peers, having adults and mentors who approached me with patience, understanding, and care made a lasting impact on my life. ACE never made me feel like those experiences limited my potential. Instead, they supported me as a whole person and created a space where I felt safe, valued, and capable of building a future for myself. The program equipped me with the confidence, skills, and support system to pursue my passions and envision a future where I could make a meaningful impact in my community.
How does ACE continue to support you now as an alum?
As an alum, ACE continued to support me by staying connected and offering opportunities to remain engaged. ACE provided spaces for continued leadership development, ways to stay involved in advocacy efforts, and ongoing mentorship that helped guide me as I navigated life after high school. As a full-time staff member now, the program has continued to invest in my growth as a leader and organizer. ACE/AFSC has given me the chance to give back to the same program that shaped me, while continuing to learn, build skills, and deepen my commitment to advocacy. Now, as a staff member, I get to provide that same level of dedication and support to the young leaders I serve through the program. Even now, ACE remains a strong support system and community that I can rely on and help build.
What are you up to now?
After high school, I went straight into the nonprofit sector, working with organizations such as the West Virginia Mine Wars Museum, Women’s Health Center, and others making a mark on West Virginia. I accepted the ACE Program Coordinator position with American Friends Service Committee in September of 2025– my dream job!
Recently, I moved to the Huntington, West Virginia area and am currently pursuing a degree in social work.
What would you tell current program participants or youth involved in the program?
I would (and do!) tell current student participants to really lean into this experience and trust that their voice matters, even if they’re still figuring out how to use it. The program is so special, and allows space to take your time, ask questions, and grow at your own pace.
You don’t have to have everything figured out to be a leader. Just showing up, caring about your community, and being willing to learn is more than enough.
Most importantly, I remind them that they belong in these spaces. Their ideas, their stories, and their perspectives are important. Our communities, our state, and this work are all better because they are here.
Anything else you would like to add about yourself/your connection and involvement with ACE?
This program gave me my first real sense of purpose and showed me what it looks like to advocate for myself and my community. Over the years, my connection to ACE has grown alongside me, from being a student in the program to now helping lead it.
Being able to come back and pour into young people the same way others poured into me is incredibly meaningful and very close to my heart. ACE has always been more than a program to me; it’s a community, a support system, and a place that continues to ground me in what I care most about. Liz, Lida, Rickey, and all those who have kept this program going over the years - thank you. I’m extremely excited to see what the future holds for ACE and the young folks we serve!