Many people have told me I have had an interesting life path, and they’re probably right. I grew up in what most would call an unconventional way moving from state to state in a converted school bus following weather patterns so my Dad could work in the construction trades without working in extreme weather. We were snowbirds well before the acceptable age of snowbirds.
My childhood taught me many lessons that have made me who I am today. I make friends easily. I love seeing new things and meeting new people. I do well with uncertainty and change. In fact, I would say I thrive in change. My siblings and I are masters of rolling with the punches and making the best of any situation.
My parents taught us many valuable lessons whether they knew they were teaching us or not. First, serve those around you. You can never go wrong helping someone in need. And second, love your family unconditionally and always. Because of these lessons I have always found myself in careers where service to others is the primary focus. I have transitioned into the nonprofit world and after close to a decade I still feel at home. I have four areas of interest: childhood literacy; aging out foster youth; senior homelessness; and serving our nations heroes. I am now blessed to be working with an organization that supports mental wellness and improved quality of life for our first responders, veterans, and women survivors of domestic violence. I couldn’t be more thrilled! I have found my home.