How long have you worked at Positive Alternatives?

2026

Where are you from?

Virgina.

What drew you to working in this field?

What drew me to this field was my own personal journey. I had a troubled start in life and experienced difficult times that made me want to better understand people, emotions, and how the brain works. As I grew older, those experiences helped shape me into a compassionate and kind person, especially toward people who are struggling. I know how difficult it can be to go through life and hard times and feel as though no one truly understands or cares about what you are experiencing. Because of that, I developed a strong desire to support others, listen without judgment, and help people recognize that their circumstances do not have to define their future. My passion for this work has been developing throughout my life. I want to use what I have learned from my own experiences, along with my education and continued growth, to make a positive difference in the lives of people who need understanding, encouragement, and support.

What is your educational background?

Bachelor of Science in Psychology [University of Wisconsin-Stout], Associate of Science (A.S.) in Criminal Justice [Chippewa Valley Technical College] [Eau Claire].

What is your favorite thing about working with youth and families?

My favorite thing about working with youth and families is having the opportunity to build meaningful connections and help people feel heard, understood, and supported. People often have strengths and abilities they may not recognize in themselves yet, and I look forward to helping them build confidence, overcome challenges, and work toward their goals. I also value involving families because lasting progress often comes from creating understanding, trust, and support within the entire family.

What is your favorite mentoring activity?

One activity I would like to incorporate into meetings is a strengths-and-goals exercise. I would have the youth identify things they are proud of, qualities they like about themselves, challenges they want to overcome, and goals they would like to reach. This could be done through conversation, drawing, writing, or a vision board, depending on their age and interests. I think activities like this can make meetings feel more comfortable and engaging while helping youth recognize their strengths and feel involved in their own progress.