How long have you been at A Kid’s Place and what is your role? What’s the thing about your role that brings you the most joy?
I have been a House Parent for 14 years, and one of the most rewarding parts of my role is the connection I build with the kids.
What brings me the most joy is seeing their excitement when we return from our off week and they run up to me, telling me they missed me. The kids are always so excited to see all the staff members! Those moments remind me how meaningful this work is and how special it is to be a consistent source of love, support, and care in their lives.
What inspired you to join the AKP team?
I have always loved kids and helping them.
If you could hang out with any fictional character or celebrity for 24 hours, who would it be and what would you do?
Bruno Mars! I would like for him to sing something to me and my husband, Norm on our anniversary. He is an amazing singer!
What’s one thing that you wish the community knew about our kids?
That kids come from bad places but they are still good kids that need love. Several Christmases I’ve had children tell me that the gifts they got for Christmas were the first gifts that they had ever gotten and they were all so happy to get the gifts they had gotten from A Kid’s Place. I had one little 5-year old girl tell me that “Santa did come to this place” because he had never to come to her at home. She asked me why I was crying and I told her they were happy tears.
What impact do you hope to leave with AKP staff or children?
Kids are important and everyone matters. When when kids come into our care they feel like nobody cares about them and that they don’t matter. If I can make the kids feel like we do care and they do matter, then I have done my job.
What is your fun/funniest memory from working at A Kid’s Place?
One of my favorite memories was when Mr. Norm surprised me with a new dog named Cocoa Puffs. He had one of the kids pretend to be a dog, and then the “real” surprise came when the doggie showed up. It was such a fun and thoughtful moment that brought so much laughter and joy.
If you could only eat one food or snack forever, what would it be?
Ice-cream!
If our kid’s described you using 3 words or 3 emojis, what would they be?
Happy , Kind , Energetic
What do you like to do outside of work?
I love being outside and exploring nature.
What have been your favorite type of outings with the kids?
Miss Sharon and I are best friends both at work and outside of work. On of my favorite outings with the kids is when we go to IKEA and get lunch and look around the store. Then we went to the beach and splashpad at Ballast Point Park! Miss Sharon and I also got to take the kids to Disney together one year, that was really memorable. Anything I do with Sharon is fun!
If you could give advice to 10-year-old you, what would it be?
Stay in school and always tell the truth.