April Kemp grew up in “the sticks” in Northern California at the foothills of the Sierra Nevada in a town called Paradise. The highlight of the year for the close-knit community was gathering to celebrate Gold Nugget and Johnny Appleseed Days.

Besides that, there was just a whole lot of nature to explore and streams to play in. So, like any teenager, she wanted to get out. At 17, she left Northern California and moved to Utah to be near her father’s family. She stayed for a few years before moving further east to upstate New York before landing in Northeastern Pennsylvania.

In 2009, tragedy struck her young family when her oldest daughter was violently attacked in their home. In the process of helping her daughter heal, April saw firsthand the power of equine therapy and its ability to help children. From there, Marley’s Mission, a nonprofit that provides equine-based therapy free of charge to children, and their families, who have experienced trauma, was born.

Today, the mother of two and her husband, a Scranton K-9 police officer, reside in Olyphant. In addition to her dedicated service to Marley’s Mission, April has found an escape, and a side hustle, in sourdough bread making. We strolled the farm in Clarks Summit, admiring the horses, as April shared her dreams to come and answered for us – Why NEPA?

How long have you lived in NEPA?

20-some odd years. Less than 25, I think.

What do you love about your town?

It’s pretty quiet. I live next to a park. My kids can get on bicycles and bike without me being a crazy mom. I may be crazier than the average person when it comes to my children’s safety, but I honestly live in a neighborhood where my neighbors watch out for each other. I think that’s what I like most about Olyphant is that I feel safe.

What’s your favorite NEPA restaurant?

Oh! I feel like the restaurant that I work at is a secret gem. Before I worked there, I had never been there. I drove past it all the time to get here (to Marley’s Mission). So, I’m going to make Abbiocco in South Abington Twp. my favorite restaurant. It’s a great little BYOB that has homemade everything, from the cheesecakes to all of your dinners which are made right there as you wait for them. It’s dog-friendly. They have a dog menu and outside dining where your dogs can come.

What is your favorite thing to do in NEPA?

My kids like the water park at Montage Mountain. But I think my favorite thing is that there’s always something to do, like First Friday. Me and my girlfriends absolutely love First Friday.

I like that there’s all these streams off the beaten path. I really like that. There are so many places around here that you can just go and enjoy nature. But if you want a structured thing, you can also find a structured outdoor activity to do.

What’s next for you?

Well, I truly do hope I win the lottery one day and I don’t have to fundraise anymore, because that’s my least favorite thing in the nonprofit world is the money aspect of it. So, if the Good Lord blessed me with winning, and I didn’t have to worry about this, next would be traveling and having a good time (laughs).

Next, for me, I think it’s just making sure that this place is sustainable. I’d like to be able to travel with my kids. I feel like this kind of took their childhood, so to speak, because I was busy doing this. They thankfully could always come with me to work. That was the bonus. But, I think next, I want to do sourdough and I want to homestead. I really like growing things and making things.

Where do you see NEPA heading in the future?

I really, really love our community – I mean, based on how Marley’s Mission started, we wouldn’t be personally where we are today without it. Every time something goes on, good or bad, the rallying cry is insane, and I mean that in the best way possible. So, I hope that that continues.

Why NEPA?

I think this area has a lot to offer people from all different walks of life. If you’re looking for a rural community, it’s 20 minutes outside of Scranton. If you’re looking for city life, Scranton, to me, feels like a pretty bustling city. You can find everything you need in NEPA without driving more than an hour. Literally. I think it’s a great place to find your community.