What do you like to do in your spare time?
Paint on canvas, watch sunsets, and spend time with my puppy.
What inspires you?
Music with positive messages (lyrics), watching people succeed with a skill I was able to teach them, and reading messages/ quotes that people share, e.g., “STARS CAN’T SHINE WITHOUT DARKNESS”.
Why are you in nonprofit work?
This is my way of helping others, which in turn helps me. I am a helper and a giver, which fills me inside. Which emotional reasons? This sums it up for me: “Rise above the storm and you will find the sunshine”.
Who is a hero of yours?
My mom: she is strong, determined, kind, patient, has an amazing work ethic, and helped me to truly realize that “we are only given what we can handle!”
What’s something quirky about you?
I truly like inspirational quotes: “The comeback is always stronger than the setback”.
What’s in your coffee?
Shot of vanilla and espresso.
I will never be seen without…
Great question… I guess my phone, which is corny and materialistic, but it’s almost always with me.
Why is CCNY’s mission important to you?
“To help those who help people in need do their jobs better” is the most important part of CCNY’s mission in my opinion. I am blessed to have been able to work in the Children’s System of Care (CSOC) for many years and now through training/ coaching at CCNY, I am able to guide others to be successful off of my experiences, both good and bad.
Tell us about a project with CCNY you are proud of and why.
I am most proud of my involvement with the Nurturing Parenting Program that I assisted CCNY in bringing to Erie County. I have been able to work with several other people that were trained in this parenting model and assist with the development of a learning community, which offers supports to the trainers.