Cara Wendling graduated Saginaw Valley State University in the spring of  2008 with a BA in psychology.  During college she completed a term as an AmeriCorps Member with the American Red Cross and worked with Flint adolescents through Holy Cross Children's Services.

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She first came to Detroit upon graduating college, living and working downtown, for Behavioral Health Professionals, Inc. 

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In 2009 she joined the U.S. Navy with the ambition of using the GI bill to ease the tuition costs of law school.  She served as a Damage Controlman (firefighter) onboard the USS Abraham Lincoln.

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After the service she went on to Tulane University's Master of Social Work program. Due to debilitating insomnia she left during the third semester.  According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, 47% of post 9/11 female veterans experience debilitating insomnia.

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It was while working for the Bernie Sanders Presidential campaign that she learned about the Catholic Worker Movement in Des Moines, Iowa. Upon her return to Michigan she contacted Father Tom Lumpkin who runs the Day House to inquire about living and volunteering within the Catholic Worker Community in Detroit.

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She has volunteered for Capuchin Soup Kitchen, Day House, and Manna Meal since December of 2016.