I worked for an attorney in Bradford for seven years. In that time, I married my husband who I met when I was in high school, and we started our family. My son was just a month old when I accepted the paralegal position with Voce. I’m so grateful to my husband, Brian, for all his support. When I started with Voce in 2009, the legal program was expanding into new counties. I traveled a lot for trainings and meetings, and he held down the fort at home.

I describe myself as having ‘severe middle child syndrome.’ As an extrovert, I love all the attention! I get along with just about anyone, which is how I fell into my side gig as a DJ and trivia host. My friends and I would play trivia, and over time, I became friendly with the host. Then, I became the host! I really enjoy being around people and their banter.

I live in Saegertown, and I've lived in northwestern PA my whole life. I've been here with Voce in the county for 12 years. I started out as a legal secretary. I had an internship with the DA's office, and from there I was hired for a law office. I needed a break from legal work after that, though, and so for a while, I did admin work at a mental health office. I guess it makes sense that I found myself here.

When a child cannot safely remain with their parents, turning first to family or another trusted adult can preserve something critically important: connection. In September, we celebrate National Kinship Awareness Month, recognizing that kinship care can help children maintain relationships with the people, communities, culture and history that are part of who they are.

For many, permanency is more than a placement or a legal designation. It means knowing who will keep showing up, which relationships will endure and who will still be there long after involvement with the child welfare system ends.

I can’t say exactly why, but ever since I was little, I knew I wanted to work in adoption—I just didn’t know how or why. A friend from my neighborhood and I used to play adoption agency with our dolls. I’ve always been a helper by nature.