My Portfolio
Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Program
I served as the Douglas County coordinator for the state-wide Protect Our Children program that focused on educating rural communities in protective factors, positive social norms, and prevention activities that reduce child sexual abuse. During my time leading this program, I tailored an innovative approach that was a conceptual and practical fit for my community. One of my favorite projects was co-hosting a slow-pitch softball tournament during child abuse prevention month called Safe at Home. I was able to create a dialogue in the sports community, an area that has been challenging to engage in sexual abuse prevention conversations, and foster positive social norms around child safety precautions.
Parent Advisory Council for Child Welfare in Douglas County
For the last three years, I have facilitated the ODHS Child Welfare Parent Advisory Council for Douglas County. As the facilitator, it is my responsibility to convene ODHS leadership and parents with lived-experience navigating child welfare. During these conversations, I am bridging the gap between the community and service provider to share personal stories that lead to new insights on child welfare practices. This opportunity has taught me that considering the voices of those that have the most at stake is how our communities can catalyze systems change and reduce trauma. One of our memorable activities was parent advisors providing a panel presentation to resource parents. Bio parents and resource parents were able to put their differences aside and openly discuss the experiences of foster care, including the parents thanking resource parents for their courage to step in and raise children that were not their own.
Collaboration of local youth housing and crisis services
I supported local efforts of stakeholders providing youth housings and crisis services in a one-stop-shop approach to best fit the needs of youth in our community. As a community convener, I was able to create a space for collaboration between three organizations that aligned strategies for supporting youth in Douglas County. The Lotus Pad Youth Campus provided shelter, affordable housing, laundry services, hygiene supplies, showers, food pantry, peer support, and clothing closet for youth at risk of or experiencing homelessness. Even though the campus provided various services for youth in our community, it told the story of turning towards one another and combine efforts for a greater impact. I was responsible for telling the story of this approach with funders, stakeholders, and community partners by hosting an open house to showcase our collaboration and commitment to the community.
Awareness campaign of the impacts of chronic K12 absenteeism
After engaging with local stakeholders who support youth and families in Douglas County, it was clear our communities were being heavily impacted by the effects of chronic absenteeism in K12 schools. We engaged superintendents, school staff, youth, parents, healthcare, after-school programs, and even early childhood education to get insight for how we can foster a community with regular attendance. The Attendance Campaign plan for Douglas County was created in collaboration with the DC Together Advisory Committee and honored the voices of stakeholders from all sides of the issue. Through this process, I learned the importance of leading with curiosity and empowering diverse stakeholders to share openly.
Community of shared leadership, advocacy, and learning
Project Turnkey is a state-wide investment by public and private stakeholders to increase emergency housing and rapidly address homelessness by converting hotels and motels into shelter programs. After five years of this investment, Project Turnkey sites from around the state were lacking connection, leadership, and learning to enhance and sustain their programs. I am responsible for identifying the top priorities for organizations that operate Project Turnkey sites and connecting organizations to state-wide stakeholders that could support the sustainability of this investment. I am passionate about the listen to learn to lead approach and immediately began connecting with programs. Through these conversations, I was able to synthesize common themes, barriers, and opportunities for the coalition. We are currently moving forward with these findings and making progress towards our shared goals.