When I was 12 years old, my 16-year-old sister died in a car accident. Losing my sister was unequivocally devastating. The tragedy's full impact took many years to be felt, but it has shaped me into exactly who I am today.
I live my life in honor of my sister, and that includes what I do for a living. At a very young age I learned that I had to live my life to the absolute fullest, at every moment. But more than that, I learned what a powerful effect a mentor can have on a child.
When my sister passed, my high school nurse became my unofficial mentor, someone who just listened when I needed it, and pushed when I needed it. I was a child who experienced a terrible loss. But from that loss I received compassion and then identified my passion.
I have worked in the youth-mentoring field for 14 years in various aspects, from fundraising to program operations. I left the nonprofit sector once for about four months, and quickly returned when I realized that helping others meant more to me than a big paycheck.
Professional growth has been relatively seamless for me, with many opportunities knocking at my door simply because I am passionate about what I do and motivated to make an impact with each day I am given.
A quote from Shakespeare reminds me why my passion's origin has such a powerful effect.
"My drops of tears I'll turn to sparks of fire." •