1. What is your professional background?
I was a freelance makeup artist and Aesthetician as a young adult but now, since Ive had children, I am a homemaker for my family. Few moms have the chance to stay home and care for their kids, so for me, it is such a blessing. Getting a chance to watch them grow and be there for them is a dream come true!
2. What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
I love to cook, camp, shooting guns and compete in Spartan Races! I also enjoy spending time with my pets. We have 5 dogs and 2 tortoises!
3. What were some of your favorite/most impactful memories as a child?
As kids, we didn't get many chances to travel but one of my favorite memories was going to Fort Lauderdale, Florida with my father and extended family. I also enjoyed visiting Niagara Falls with my mom, sister and grandparents!
4. Who were your mentors/advocates as you were growing up?
Most definitely it was my grandma!! She dedicated her heart and soul to the church. I remember helping her volunteer in the church kitchen during bingo! I enjoyed that so much I volunteered at local hospital as a Candy Striper and at our church. It felt so good to donate my time just like grandma!
5. What brought you to CASA?
When I was 5 years old I watched Little Orphan Annie and ever since I’ve had a dream to adopt a child of my own. Even though I have yet to adopt my own child, I still have a great desire to help the less fortunate. I want all kids to experience the true love and security that having a loving family can give them. Be ing a CASA has really filled my heart because I look at my CASA kids as my own!
6. What do you enjoy most about being a CASA?
I have both volunteered and chaired for many charities in the past but being a CASA is different. Being a CASA makes it personal, it gives me a chance to influence a specific kid and impact their daily lives directly. I get a chance to see my impact in real time, to watch them grow and see all of the little things that can bring joy to a tough situation. I enjoy working with kids in a group home setting because I can even indirectly bring some joy and interaction to the other kids in the home. Its amazing how a small thing like bringing pizza or my therapy dog for the whole group makes everyone smile!
7. Why do you continue to advocate for children?
I will continue to be the the voice of a child’s for as long as I can. Everybody deserves a fighting chance and a loving caretaker in this life. Most kids have been blessed with love and stability that a stable family provides. The kids who do not share that same reality need somebody to fight for them and be their champion. I want to be that for them.
