My lived experiences have shaped not only how I see the world, but also the work I feel called to do. I grew up in an environment marked by intergenerational trauma and dysfunction — so much so that, for a long time, it felt normal. It was all we knew.

I witnessed people I loved navigating life in deeply painful ways, often with explanations that made sense in the moment but ultimately kept them stuck. One of the most important lessons I learned early on is that, no matter how difficult it may be, we always have a choice. By the time I left for college, I knew one thing for certain: I wanted to live differently, and I wanted to help others do the same.

I initially pursued nursing because I knew I wanted to care for people. But everything shifted when a professor introduced me to the field of Social Work. It felt like my entire world opened — I had found my purpose.

That moment set me on my own healing journey and ignited a commitment to help my community heal as well. Today, my work is rooted in that mission: supporting individuals, families, and systems in breaking cycles, restoring connection, and creating new possibilities — one heart at a time.