Caroline Travers
Why PCH? Why were you interested in joining the PCH Board and working for affordable housing in Princeton? And how long have you been on the Board?
With my retirement on the horizon, one of my goals was to find meaningful volunteer work. A request by my church to be the representative to PCH was made to me just as I was considering my options. Even without researching the organization, my first inclination was a definite yes! Safe and well-maintained housing makes all the difference in a person's life, be they single or a family, young or old. I was especially impressed to find that PCH has housing specifically for the elderly. My mother was fortunate to be able to live in a retirement home after she became a widow, and since she lived more than five hours away by car from me, I was so happy she had good people looking after her.
Another impressive feature I discovered about PCH is the many social services they provide. Then when I met with Ed and Alice, I was sold - two dedicated and talented people being a part of this organization told me I would be fortunate to be a part of it. So I joined officially this past summer (2020).
What is your professional background?
For the past 17 years, I was an educator in the primary school of Princeton Academy of the Sacred Heart. Before that, I had various jobs, full- and part-time, as my late husband and I lived in various states as well as in Hong Kong and Singapore. I started out as an educator at the secondary level in Virginia teaching social studies for four years before getting a master's in global management (international business). The other long-term job I held was working for Briggs & Stratton as a product manager in their automotive parts division.
What other volunteer activities do you participate in?
In recent years most of my volunteer work was at my school. I was chairman of the Living the Goals Committee which helped students and staff understand and live out our five goals. I was co-chairman of our committee on outreach and served on various other committees over the years. Since I moved to Princeton in the summer of 2002 I have been the head of my church's Sunday school, served on the vestry twice (once being head of our outreach committee), and volunteered at Good Grief for over four years as a facilitator. But for now, PCH is the only volunteer work I do. I shall have to see what I can do after the pandemic is over!
How long have you been in the Princeton area and why did you come to this community?
I have been in Princeton, as I said, since the summer of 2002. We moved to the area from Hong Kong for my husband's job with a multinational bank. We chose this area as we had friends who had moved to West Windsor from Hong Kong the year before us and recommended the area as having great schools and having a diverse population, something my whole family desired.
What are your hobbies and interests?
I am an avid reader and enjoy all kinds of genres. I like to cook and am always trying out new recipes. In addition, I enjoy photography, walking, and yoga.