The Who

Hi, I’m Kristy Joy Chaisson, Founder and Director of Faith & Macaroni. My professional journey began with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Sociology from the University of Alberta and led me into some of the toughest corners of youth care—high-needs group homes, locked facilities, and working with kids and teens facing incredibly hard situations, including three years working with children involved in prostitution. Those experiences opened my eyes to the urgent need for prevention and empowerment long before kids reached a crisis point.

In 2004, I joined Kids On Track full time, an agency that had formed me and raised me up as a young leader from the age of 10. I spent the next 20 years, the last 10 of which as Program Director, helping to create everything from daily after-school programs to youth leadership initiatives and family empowerment nights. My passion for innovation led me to shift our approach from the traditional “sit-listen-learn” model to a “move-learn-retain” model, weaving physical literacy and active learning into everything we did. The results were transformative—especially for kids who hadn’t found success in other programs. But what truly energized me was seeing people step into their full potential. Whether it be parents, professionals, or youth, my heart came alive in training and equipping others for success.

Along the way, I became a parent myself, putting every tool and strategy I learned into practice with my own kids who faced early challenges with emotional regulation. Those real-life experiences convinced me that parents, kids, and professionals all need a robust toolbox for building healthy minds, bodies, and spirits.

The name comes from a season when my husband and I decided he would become a stay-at-home dad while our kids were little. We cut our income by two-thirds, and the running joke became that we were living on “faith and macaroni.” It turns out, faith, determination, and a little creativity can go a long way—just like the tools we now share with families.

Authenticity matters to us. By being transparent about who we are and why we do what we do, we create a foundation of trust with those we serve. When people see the heart behind our work, they know they’re partnering with someone who truly cares and understands the journey. We’re committed to being an open book with our partners, sharing what we’ve learned along the way and staying curious as we keep learning and growing together.