Service Array:
Individual Skill Development and Enhancement
I was born in Minneapolis, MN to a single mom who was very ill and passed away when I was only 10 years old. Shortly after my sister and I moved to Barron, WI to live with my grandpa and his wife. While living with them I experienced heavy emotional, mental and some physical abuse until I moved out when I turned 18. Long story short-I had to learn how to grow up fast independently.
Due to the lack of family support and love in my life I was desperate for any source of companionship which unfortunately, led me down the wrong path. I tried to escape for years with substances to mask my anxiety, depression and insecurities. This gradually destroyed relationships in my life as well as getting into trouble with the law on and off for years. Eventually, I had enough and realized that I was the source of all my problems. Not my grandparents, not the people I surrounded myself with and not even the awful things that had happened to me. It was then I realized I needed to make a change, so I started journaling, went to therapy, started exercising and cutting off ties that I knew weren’t supporting my growth.
Mental health was a huge struggle for me my entire youth into adulthood. It was tough learning how to cope when all I did was push everyone away. I was scared, I was hurt, and I was not an easy person to be around. Being honest with myself about what I was feeling and the choices I was making inspired this spiritual transformation within myself, as well as being able to share that with others. I realized I wasn’t alone and became more comfortable telling my story, it made me feel strong and reminded me that I am not my mistakes.
As a single mother of a 6-year-old, my son is my biggest motivation, and I strive to be a loving role model for him. I attended WITC in Rice Lake, WI for Early Childhood Education when my son was just an infant because I wanted to gain a better understanding on how children develop in order to be a better mom, and to move forward with something positive that I cared deeply about.
In my free time, I enjoy exercising, reading, puzzles, catching up on my favorite shows and hanging out with my son, sister and close friends.
Though my past experiences have been difficult, they have shaped me into a resilient and ambitious human being. I embrace each day with gratitude and determination, I look forward to the future with optimism and a deep sense of purpose. Which is something I never thought would be possible for me. I feel passionate about sharing my experiences to help others avoid making the same mistakes I did. I firmly believe there is always light at the end of the tunnel, and that sharing our stories can inspire hope and growth in others.