Thomas Kaden seemed to have a stereotypically successful future all in place. The summer between his sophomore and junior years at Messiah, Kaden interned with a large PR firm on Wall Street. This smart career move strategically positioned him within the competitive field, but just a few weeks into the job, he realized that the world of public relations would not cut it as a full-time calling. Kaden began to understand that God had other, bigger plans.
After Kaden graduated in 2004, he transitioned into ministry, but struggled through some trying experiences. “At times, I felt rejected and that my life didn’t matter much,” Kaden said. “I went through some very difficult circumstances in my personal and professional life that caused deep pain, fear, doubt, questions about my own faith, and loneliness.” Thankfully, God brought people into Kaden’s life that truly listened and continually reminded him of his worth in the eyes of God.
And there it was. His calling, his push. In the midst of pain, God planted the seeds that developed into Kaden’s current ministry, “Someone To Tell It To.” As the cofounder of the nonprofit, Kaden could draw from his personal experiences with others and his Savior to create an organization built on providing “a compassionate presence and a listening ear for people to share their stories.”
Based in Pennsylvania, the organization provides face-to-face conversations and support for residents nearby. It also provides support for individuals outside of their physical radius by capitalizing on social media and technology. Someone To Tell It To offers a listening ear in ten countries around the world through Facebook messaging, Skype, phone calls, email and FaceTime.
“I believe very strongly that we are all far more alike than we are different, especially when we are in pain,” Kaden says, “and I love to ‘be present’ in the middle of others’ cares and concerns, reminding everyone that we are in this life together and that we are ‘never alone.’” His dream of eliminating extreme loneliness starts in his home and with his family, and then spreads out into the community and world at large. “I want everyone, everyone, to be reminded that there is a God who gives a crap about their stories, no matter how painful they may be.”
In 2014, his book, Someone To Tell It To: Sharing Life’s Journey, hit stores, and in the fall of 2017, Someone To Tell It To: Moved With Compassion will release. For more information on how to compassionately listen or make a difference in your own community, visit their , like them on and follow them on .
“Someone to tell it to is one of the fundamental needs of human beings.” – Miles Franklin
- Miriam Thurber ‘19