Professional:
I have a bachelor's degree in Human Development from Pacific Oaks College with an educational background that strongly emphasized social justice and youth development, and over 20 years of experience in working with at-risk youth. I began my career working in an AmeriCorps program aimed at reducing incidents of bullying in public schools, and as an activist working to reduce violence against women and girls. I have been an advocate for increasing the availability of quality after school programs for low-income and at-risk students and have worked extensively in training teachers, tutors, and community members in intervention and support programs. I developed a street outreach team working on behalf of homeless youth in Los Angeles, California and spent three and a half years running a program for homeless youth in St. George Utah. I am currently a Prevention Specialist at Southwest Behavioral Health Center and the lead organizer of the Washington County Prevention Coalition.
I have a bachelor's degree in Human Development from Pacific Oaks College with an educational background that strongly emphasized social justice and youth development, and over 20 years of experience in working with at-risk youth. I began my career working in an AmeriCorps program aimed at reducing incidents of bullying in public schools, and as an activist working to reduce violence against women and girls. I have been an advocate for increasing the availability of quality after school programs for low-income and at-risk students and have worked extensively in training teachers, tutors, and community members in intervention and support programs. I developed a street outreach team working on behalf of homeless youth in Los Angeles, California and spent three and a half years running a program for homeless youth in St. George Utah. I am currently a Prevention Specialist at Southwest Behavioral Health Center and the lead organizer of the Washington County Prevention Coalition.
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Personal:
I was born in San Luis Obispo, California and my family moved to St. George when I was 13. I grew up in an outdoorsy family and spent lots of time hot air ballooning, camping, and riding dirt bikes. After graduating from Pine View High School I moved back to California to attend college and pursue my interests in art, theatre, activism, and traveling. I completed a study abroad program in Nicosia, Cyprus in International Relations, traveled extensively, and co-founded a community theatre that is still in operation today. After meeting my husband in the produce section of my neighborhood grocery store, we started a family and I stayed home with my three children for six years. We finally committed to the best decision we ever made and moved back to St. George in 2018. I returned to work running a homeless shelter for youth but became frustrated at the lack of prevention work in that field. I felt like I was always encountering kids after they’d already fallen through the cracks and I wanted to engage in a more upstream approach.
I was born in San Luis Obispo, California and my family moved to St. George when I was 13. I grew up in an outdoorsy family and spent lots of time hot air ballooning, camping, and riding dirt bikes. After graduating from Pine View High School I moved back to California to attend college and pursue my interests in art, theatre, activism, and traveling. I completed a study abroad program in Nicosia, Cyprus in International Relations, traveled extensively, and co-founded a community theatre that is still in operation today. After meeting my husband in the produce section of my neighborhood grocery store, we started a family and I stayed home with my three children for six years. We finally committed to the best decision we ever made and moved back to St. George in 2018. I returned to work running a homeless shelter for youth but became frustrated at the lack of prevention work in that field. I felt like I was always encountering kids after they’d already fallen through the cracks and I wanted to engage in a more upstream approach.
Why I chose prevention:
I finally found my way here to Southwest Behavioral and couldn’t be more satisfied with the work we do here. We have a hard-working team comprised of smart, passionate, committed people and I’m proud of what we contribute to the community. I love meeting lots of different people from all over the community and using my creative skills to make a difference. In my free time I like to paint, read, and be outside.
I finally found my way here to Southwest Behavioral and couldn’t be more satisfied with the work we do here. We have a hard-working team comprised of smart, passionate, committed people and I’m proud of what we contribute to the community. I love meeting lots of different people from all over the community and using my creative skills to make a difference. In my free time I like to paint, read, and be outside.
