“I always felt I wanted to work with kids, I just wasn’t sure what that would look like. When I was attending Mansfield University, I took a social work class, and right away I knew this was it! In one way or another, I’ve been connected to child welfare throughout my career. I did a college field placement at Bradford County Children and Youth, and after graduation, I became a caseworker with the agency. It was incredibly eye-opening, and I never knew how my day was going to go. I loved it!
After earning my master’s degree, moving, and getting married, I worked at a girls’ residential program providing therapy for a while but wanted to take a different route. That’s when I became a paralegal with Voce. From the jump, I felt at home—with both the work and the people. Painting a picture for the court of how a child could obtain permanency was so meaningful to me. I also had the most amazing support system in my supervisor and other members of the team. Now, as a coordinator, I’m using ALL my experiences to coach my paralegal teams, helping them connect the dots to see the bigger picture and feel valued in their everyday work. So many people were here for me, and I want to see that trickle down. I would say my superpower is building rapport. As a social worker, I’m always thinking about what people are going through and the underlying issues they’re experiencing. You may not see the results immediately, but lasting impact comes from the trust you build along the way.
Running has also taught me persistence and the value of self-care. I started in 2012, barely able to finish a mile, and since then have completed four full marathons and eight half marathons. These days, my twins ride their bikes beside me on runs—it was a full circle moment to pace my son on his first one-mile race this past summer!” - Miranda, Coordinator
