I had always admired the comprehensive nature of FIGHT’s services therefore, I sought out working for FIGHT because of my strong belief in its mission and how it carries out its programs. I wanted to be a part of a team that approaches the epidemic from a holistic perspective. I was fortunate to be able to join Y-HEPs team which was a natural fit for me. Working with youth, teaching them tangible skills to navigate their worlds and prevention have been a part of my passion both in my personal life and throughout my education. At Y-HEP we have the ability to work with youth, support them where they are and help them grow into the people that they want to be is a powerful experience.

As the Program Director of Y-HEP, I am responsible for the ongoing planning and implementation of agency structure, accountability, and supervision. I work with Y-HEP staff to plan, implement, and integrate program services for Y-HEP. In addition, I work in collaboration to identify and apply for funding sources. I am responsible for the oversight of the annual Youth Summit during AIDS Education Month.

There are so many! One in recent memory is watching a youth who has come through our Peer Education Academy at Y-HEP teach her peers about HIV/AIDS. Seeing how she integrated the knowledge that was taught to her and how she owned that knowledge and taught it to others was powerful.

For me, the small successes that we are able to witness daily in youth’s lives keeps me motivated as it is the small changes that lead to large changes. We are privileged at Y-HEP to be able to work with you to teach them social and emotional learning skills that have impacts in how they move through the world.