“That was a great job that really helped me learn more about the community needs and specifically how MHMR could help those in meeting family (needs).”

“It’s the opportunity to work with my staff and help them find better ways to support their families. I work well with them when brainstorming ideas or programs that are outside the box. We always have unique needs to meet and my work in the past has really helped me. I always tell my team that if I don’t have the answers, I’ll find out and make sure that even if it’s a niche challenge, we’ll figure it out together.

Currently, our work is more over the phone vs. face-to-face, which can be challenging but working with my team to help support them really excites me. I really like to be challenged.”

“Absolutely. It helped me feel confident in working with people of all backgrounds. Being able to build those relationships and supporting their families and getting them to the right resources has been beneficial. In a way, I feel my work with the kids helps them stay away from juvenile justice in trying to get them the proper resources sooner rather than later.”

“I’ve had several throughout my career. Cristy Malott comes to mind first. Cristy has championed me and my work, and as a result, I carry a tremendous amount of respect for her. She saw a lot in me early on and she’s somebody I take with me every day. I’d like to be like her when I grow up (laughs).

I also can’t not mention Lisa Tomlinson. She gave me a shot to work with kids again. She cracked the door for Cristy and she blew it open.”

“I would say, and this just happened this past Christmas, my team ended up being the points of contact for 211 – the local information line - and for any needs the community may have. We were the liaisons for all things Christmas.

My team of five was bombarded with calls during this time. They worked 8-5, five days per week helping provide resources to help families. This struck a chord with my team as they got really involved and passionate about helping out. I’d say 99% of those calls were about people needing Christmas assistance.

Also from juvenile services, back in my early days when I was doing deferred probation. I had this one young man who I was able to help get through probation, consistently sending him notes of encouragement. He was concerned with turning out like a lot of his family who had gone down this path.

Years later, he told me he came across the note, sending me a message that he graduated, has his own family, and was really doing well. That is such a wonderful feeling.”

"To just breathe. We get caught up in having to do things with such haste and urgency that sometimes we forget to help ourselves. And a fantastic way is by slowing down and taking a breath to not only listen, but to hear the stories being told and be able to put that personal touch into their work.”

“I think improvement will come with added funding and additional conversations revolving around mental health. While I’m not currently in juvenile services, I work with a variety of people in trying to get them the proper resources. The more we become comfortable talking about it, the more people will benefit as things will change for the positive.”

“I’m an aunt. I have a niece and nephew that I absolutely adore. I’m a wife, daughter, and like to disconnect as much as possible when I can. I like to lose myself in tv shows, books, music, sporting events, and love to travel as much as possible.”