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How long have you been with EA? What roles have you had? 

13 years with breaks in between. During my time with EA, I have had the opportunity to serve in several roles. Earlier in my career with EA, while completing my degrees, I worked as a Facility Manager at one of EA’s STRTP programs for over five years. In my current time with the agency, which has been about six years, I have worked as a Social Worker supporting youth, families, and resource parents.

I personally take a lot of pride in my work with youth who are at higher risk, particularly those in our ISFC program, and supporting the caregivers who provide them with stable and nurturing homes.

In addition to my social work responsibilities, I supervise MSW interns, serve as a CANS trainer, and have recently begun supporting the RFA team. I really value the opportunity to contribute to EA in different ways and to be part of an organization that is so committed to supporting youth, families, and the professionals who serve them. It has been meaningful to grow in different roles while continuing to support the mission of EA.

What originally made you want to work with EA?

I often say that EA raised me, both professionally and personally. I first started working at EA when I was 20 years old supporting STRTP youth, back when it was still called a group home. That experience really shaped who I am as a professional and introduced me to the work of supporting youth who have experienced significant challenges.

I later left EA to pursue a career in child welfare, but once I started my own family, I knew I wanted to come home. EA has always been a place where I felt supported both professionally and personally. The agency gave me the space to grow in my career while also raising my children and maintaining a healthy work and family balance.

As my kids have gotten older, EA has also supported me in exploring other professional opportunities and continuing to grow. In many ways, the agency has always felt like a family to me. It is a place where I feel I belong. EA helped shape the professional I am today, and it continues to be a place where I can grow, give back, and support the next generation of youth and families we serve.

Describe what your best day on the job looks like.

My best day on the job is when I get to see progress, even if it is small. In this work, especially with youth in higher levels of care, change does not always happen quickly. The moments that mean the most are when a youth begins to trust the adults around them, when a caregiver feels more confident supporting a child, or when a family begins to experience more stability after a difficult period.

I also really value the relationships that come with this work. It means a lot to know that our resource families feel they can count on me for support when things are challenging. I also take a lot of pride in working with MSW interns and watching them grow into confident professionals in the field. Some of the most rewarding moments are when colleagues or interns come to me for support, guidance, or a different perspective.

For me, the best days are the ones where everyone is working together, supporting one another, and moving a youth or family one step closer to stability and success.

What do you wish people knew about working in your field?

I wish more people understood how much heart goes into this work. In social work, you really do fall in love with the kids and the families. Part of our role is coaching and supporting resource parents to care deeply for the youth in their homes, to love them enough to keep them safe and supported, and also to love them enough to let them return home to their families when that is possible. The same is true for social workers. We plant seeds in the lives of youth and families knowing that we may never see the full impact of what we planted. We do the work anyway, trusting that those seeds will grow over time.

Even after youth move on, reunify, or transition to another placement, we still think about them. We wonder how they are doing and hope they are thriving. Our role in their lives is meant to be temporary, and ultimately we want them to move forward with independence and stability without needing us. But the truth is that every youth and every family leaves a mark. A small piece of each of them stays with us and becomes part of who we are, not just as social workers, but as people.

How do you practice self care?

For me, self care is really about spending time with my children, my partner, and my family. I am pretty honest when I say I do not really have hobbies right now because raising my family keeps me busy. In many ways, my kids are my hobby and I genuinely enjoy being present for the different stages of their lives.

At home, I also have three cats that definitely keep things interesting. When I do have time to unwind, I enjoy listening to audiobooks, going to comedy shows, going to concerts and traveling with my partner. Getting away together, even for a short trip, helps me recharge and come back to work feeling refreshed.

Being able to stay connected to the people I love most is what keeps me balanced and grounded, and it allows me to continue showing up for the youth, families, and colleagues I work with every day.

What's a hidden talent you have, or something about yourself that would surprise most people?

Something that might surprise people about me is that I collect different kinds of salt. I love trying different flavors and varieties, so my kitchen has slowly turned into a bit of a salt collection over the years.

I also like to say that I play just as hard as I work. When I have downtime, I enjoy fantasy and magic themed books, and I am constantly writing little comedy skits in my head about everyday situations.

People might not guess this from my demeanor, but I am actually a bit of an overthinker. I spend a lot of time reflecting and reassuring myself that I showed up the way I hoped to for the youth and families I work with. At the end of the day, caring that much is part of what keeps me motivated in this field.

Anything else you'd like to add?

I would just add that I feel really grateful to be part of EA Family Services. This work can be challenging, but it is also incredibly meaningful, and I feel fortunate to work alongside people who care deeply about youth and families.

Over the years, EA has been a place where I have been able to grow both professionally and personally. I appreciate the opportunity to support the youth, families, resource parents, and colleagues who make this work possible. Being recognized in this way is truly an honor.