Currently, as the founder of a non-profit faith-based organization, Begin Again, I am grateful to lead an organization that provides essential services to those in need, creating lasting transformation in the human services industry.

 

While attending school, I completed my clinical rotation at a state hospital.

One day, a young man took a walk with me, and I asked him, "What caused you to be here?" His answer was unexpected and lingered in my mind throughout the day. That evening, as I drove home, my heart ached for him. I spoke to God, asking, "What can I do so that another person will never feel hopeless?"

 

After graduating college, I taught in both public and private schools, focusing on children with special needs. It was during this time that my desire and passion to help others truly began to consume me. I realized that I wanted to dedicate my life to serving people in need.

 

I left the school system to work in corporate America, primarily in healthcare. I returned to school and obtained a second degree in Human Services, along with a certification in substance abuse. Collaborating with various organizations has given me a unique perspective across different facets of the industry, motivating me to support the displaced, often referred to legally as transients. It was during a mental health crisis, when I felt that same sense of hopelessness, that I sought treatment in an Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP). The help I received reignited my passion to assist others like me, leading to the founding of Begin Again.

​

For eight impactful years, I dedicated myself to a prison ministry at my church, where I engaged with individuals in profound ways. I spoke on a range of topics, addressing the unique struggles and needs of the incarcerated, and led group discussions that fostered understanding and personal growth. My passion for helping others transformed not only my life but also the lives of those I connected with during this vital work.

 

I am also a mother of three, a grandmother of one, and a great-grandmother of two. I cherish the time spent with my family, especially my great-grandsons. Four years ago, I started my own feeding ministry, “Feeding in the Streets,” driven by my heart for community service. I feel blessed to have the funds to feed the hungry for the past years without needing donations. Additionally, I serve as a Sunday School teacher at my church and have over ten years of experience as a Human Services professional.