Graduated from California State University, Long Beach, with B.S in Criminal Justice, with hopes of pursuing a career in Probation or in the Juvenile halls, I began my career in Human Services/Social Services 20+ years ago working in a Residential facility, with neglected and abused youth ages 6-13 years old that changed my focus. I am proud to have shared much time and many resources with at-promise families, youth and young adults within the Orange County/Riverside Communities in many different programs and truly have a passion for helping others who struggle finding success and having challenging circumstances. Moving over from the Orangewood Foundation in 2014, working with foster youth, within the Independent Living Program, I bring my passion, knowledge, resources and experience of working with the at-promise, foster youth population and being a support to moving students forward in their academics, emotional well-being in their lives and onto high school graduation. I have a Master’s Degree in Human Services, with an emphasis on Multidisciplinary structures which allows me to work alongside all youth and families. I am excited to be on campus as the Student Success Coordinator for my 9th year here at Samueli Academy and with Orangewood Foundation, Youth Connected Program. I look forward to continuing to support and motivate students to be the best they can be as well as supporting their caregivers, foster parents and other supports the youth may have. I am also a mother of two young adult children, one in college at GCU and one working full time. I also have a Maltese puppy, “Mamba”, that I spend most of my time with.