Service Array:
Individual Skill Development and Enhancement
I was born in Mobile, Alabama, but grew up in Wisconsin, where I still reside today after my family moved there when I was two. As the eldest of three, I had my share of responsibilities, but I also carried the weight of loss. My sister lost her battle with Lupus, and my brother struggled with addiction, ultimately losing his life to it. These experiences shaped me, teaching me the importance of resilience and empathy.
I became a mother at 18, and I was determined to create the perfect family I had always dreamed of. However, life didn’t follow the script I envisioned. My daughter’s father left, and I found myself navigating single motherhood under the watchful eye of a small community. I felt the weight of judgment, and I longed to prove myself. This led me into a relationship that wasn’t healthy, and before I knew it, I was a mother of three, trying to manage a household with no real sense of who I was or how to create a stable environment for my children.
The years that followed were filled with struggle. I normalized the chaos around me, convincing myself that staying was the right thing to do. I took a job as a receptionist at a college and began taking night courses, hoping to build a better future for my kids. It was a difficult time—working long hours, leaving my children for extended periods, and coming home to a partner whose drinking and drug use made our home unpredictable and unsafe. I stayed because I was scared—scared of being alone, scared of what might happen if I left.
One day, I came home to find the house in disarray, my partner partying with friends, and my children confined to their room, looking lost. Something in me shifted that day. I knew my children deserved better, and I couldn’t let them grow up thinking this was normal. Despite my fears, I began planning our escape, hiding our belongings and waiting for the right moment. Eventually, we left—unharmed and ready to start anew.
Years later, I became a mother again. My youngest daughter was born with a birth injury called Brachial Plexus, which left her right shoulder, arm, wrist, and hand paralyzed. It was a challenging journey—filled with surgeries, therapy sessions, and advocacy—but it taught me the power of persistence and the importance of fighting for those you love. Today, my children are thriving—each successful in their own way—and I am proud of the life we have built together.
I eventually found my calling at the Boys & Girls Club, where I now work with nearly 100 children daily. Creating programs like crocheting, gardening, and journaling, I’ve seen firsthand how providing a safe space can help kids build confidence and develop important social skills. My journey has come full circle—I am now in a position to help families who are facing the same challenges I once did.
Through my spiritual beliefs, therapy, and the support of others, I have learned to embrace both my strengths and my weaknesses. I am ready to share my story, to listen, and to learn from those around me. I believe that our struggles do not define us—it is how we rise from them that truly matters.
I aim to help those who are facing the challenges of single parenthood, those struggling to leave unhealthy relationships, and families dealing with the impacts of addiction or disability. I understand what it’s like to feel lost and overwhelmed, but also the strength it takes to rebuild and find hope. My journey has equipped me with the empathy, resilience, and tools needed to support others in finding their own paths to healing and growth.