Hi friends, I’m Kate - thank you for taking the time to get to know me. I am a Registered Nurse now living in Albuquerque, NM with my husband, cat, and 5 chickens. I am pursuing a Master’s in nursing, specifically Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP). I found this path through both a lifelong interest in psychology as well as personal difficulties that not-so-gently nudged me to grow into the person I am today. The support of mental health professionals has been instrumental throughout the course of my development, and I am ready to join the workforce of those who sit in the dark places with people who are hurting. Connection, acceptance, and compassion guide my interactions and future direction. I am actively working toward building connections with and among my community here in ABQ through my work in two grassroots organizations – Food Is Free, Albuquerque (FIFABQ.org) and Cool It Burque. FIFABQ is a non-profit gleaning group that rescues tens of thousands of pounds of human-edible fresh food already growing in our city. We lead teams of volunteers to harvest, then mindfully donate the fruit (and some vegetables) where they can best be utilized such as food pantries, food banks, or shelters. Cool It Burque is a separate, new organization we are building to increase the health of our tree canopy. In the desert, shade is essential, and native trees adapted to our climate require less water while offering shelter from the sun. I am passionate about increasing access to fresh food, green spaces, community involvement, and mental health care services.