About me:

Biography

My lived experience has shaped my professional and educational path in social work. Growing up in the foster system shaped my worldview. I approach social work and understand the struggles with the system. This path ultimately took me to Pierce College, where I graduated with honors and a 3.9 GPA, before transition to Treehouse, a nonprofit agency supporting youth who have been impacted by the foster care system. As a case manager, the work is more than teaching life skills or even giving money; instead, I walk the youth through the struggles of being an adult, using trauma-informed support models to help them build stability and independence.

Enrollment in the Integrated Social Sciences program at the University of Washington has been a transformative experience. In the beginning, I joined the program with a passion for social work; through the program, however, my understanding of systemic disparities grew more nuanced, as well as my ability to be a force for change. I have been involved in social theory discussions and policy analysis and developed a more profound value for the role of research as a catalyst for effective action. Along this path, I have found a new passion for nonprofit management, primarily in fundraising and writing grants to support organizations like Treehouse with the necessary resources to benefit marginalized youth.

Outside of my career and academics, motherhood has been my greatest teacher. Raising a child with disabilities has shaped the way I lead, choosing patience, adaptability, and an unwavering commitment to inclusion. Balancing parenting, work, and school hasn't always been easy, but it has deepened my resilience and given me an even greater sense of purpose and motivation.

In contemplating my path through higher education, it was clear that it hadn't been linear. My path has been shaped by unforeseen chances, roadblocks, and growth phases, through which I have solidified my dedication to social work and advocacy. In the future, I aim to continue on the same path: systemic change through policy change, nonprofit organization management, or work through community organization. Most of all, I desire to apply my scholarly, lived work experience toward the vision of a world where any youth, regardless of their background, can thrive.