After years of experiencing episodic homelessness and all of the trauma that comes out of those experiences, I made it to the genesis of recovery. Now, after 23 years in recovery and years of experience and education in the field, my passion is to imbue service providers and staff with the knowledge and tools they need to best serve others.

I began working in bodywork and then medical billing for many years. However, working for Northern Nevada HOPES taught me a great deal about living my truth as well as how to harness power from previous experiences to provide hope and empathy to others facing challenges. I began volunteering at Change Point, Nevada's first syringe services program and completed my thesis work there.  In addition to syringe exchange, I conducted HIV and hepatitis C testing and harm reduction counseling. As a case manager, I managed the housing programs which provided a delicate balance between managing clients and data. In the last position of Case Manager for the Homeless, facilitated through CABHI grant funds in a partnership with Washoe County Social Services, I was able to provide vulnerable clients with intensive case management. I am eternally grateful that this position opened up, as it allowed me to do outreach at the camps and parks and house dozens of people. I continue to do outreach and value the relationships with my neighbors experiencing homelessness. Fostering a better world begins with self-improvement, inspiring others, and community building.

As a Program Director of Wellness Services at the Life Change Center, I developed programs such as the Mobile Opioid Response Engagement (MORE) team which incorporated case management, behavioral health, and peer recovery support services. In the role of Program Director of the northern Nevada office for Foundation for Recovery, our team worked on building community based recovery supports by hosting recovery activities, advocacy, training, and peer coaching for people with a substance use disorder or behavioral health disorder. I worked as the Program Manager for Trac-B Exchange, developing hospital-based recovery teams hosted 24/7 in two large Nevada hospitals. These peer teams provide harm reduction and recovery supports to patients with an opioid and/or stimulant use disorder. I still volunteer for Trac-B and provide mobile harm reduction services in the community. 

As a Program Specialist with Washoe County Human Services Agency, I worked in the continuous quality improvement (CQI) unit on a variety of projects. In this position, I conducted program evaluations, the  Washoe County Opioid use/Opioid Use Disorder Community Needs Assessment, data/statistical analysis, curricula development, Mentor Program development, Sobriety Treatment and Recovery Team (START) implementation, grant writing, and stakeholder engagement.  

I served as the chair of the Nevada Interagency Council on Homelessness to Housing (ICH), and served on the ICH Technical Assistance Subcommittee,  and as the vice chair of the Substance Use Response Group (SURG). I currently serve on the board of the Nevada Certification Board (NCB) and am the vice president of the Northern Nevada Harm Reduction Alliance . 

I founded V.O.I.C.E. (Voices of Inspiration, Courage, and Empowerment), a writing group for people experiencing homelessness, which focuses on the resilience of our houseless neighbors who thrive in the face of adversity.  I am so grateful for all of these opportunities that connect us and foster collaboration and community. Through these experiences of grant writing and management, program development, policy development, training and education development, research and analysis, and program evaluation, I hope to be able to help other organizations turn their dreams into actionable and pragmatic realities.