A few weeks ago, in conjunction with the Child Welfare League of America’s national conference in Washington, D.C., I joined more than 300 child advocates walking together up the steps of the Capitol to represent the needs of our nation’s children before legislators. In that moment—moving in unison and with purpose alongside others—I was part of something bigger than myself. I was carrying a mission.

“I love my job, but it’s not like I woke up one day and said, ‘I want to work for a non-profit as a child welfare paralegal.’ I went to a college prep type of high school in Massachusetts, and I remember getting called down to the office because I didn’t have a plan. I love learning, it just took me a while to find a career path."

"Cameron County will always be home. Everyone is connected—people will know me through my grandparents, from my waitressing jobs or from school. There are only eight of us who work in the county children and youth office, and I know the supervisor from high school. We joke in the office that when I changed roles from being a county caseworker to being a paralegal with Voce, I just picked up and moved to another desk across the room."

I love telling the story of what brought me to Voce—not just once, but twice! I always had an interest in law but didn’t become a paralegal until later in life. After my kids were grown, I went back to school at Penn College in Williamsport. Initially, I took courses to work in the medical field. The medical program was not speaking to me. One day I was walking across campus and saw something about the college’s paralegal program. I was completely surprised, and the next thing I knew, I was talking with the professor in charge. He said, ‘You can start tomorrow!’ So, I did.

Child abuse prevention is a shared responsibility. Organizations like PennCAC and Voce are part of a broader network of care, supporting children from the moment abuse is disclosed to the point where they can experience stability and belonging.

"Growing up, there were always kids in my house. My mom comes from a large, blended family, and as a stay-at-home mom, she was often filling in for other moms when they needed some help. My mom was also the person who helped me understand my aunt and uncle’s foster son’s background and the hardships of abuse."