My journey in working with traumatized youth for the past eight years has been a profound and transformative experience, igniting a passion within me to contribute more significantly to their healing and growth. In pursuit of this commitment, I am currently working towards my bachelor's degree in social work, aspiring to make impactful changes in the lives of the youth I serve. Having faced my own struggles with mental health issues and trauma, I possess a unique understanding of the challenges these young individuals confront daily. This personal history has fostered empathy and equipped me with the insight needed to guide them from suffering to one of resilience and thriving. Witnessing their ability to overcome barriers despite a history of abuse, neglect, mental health issues, or substance abuse has fueled my determination to do more and be more for the teens I work with. In addition to my academic pursuits, I serve as the vice president of Beach Pride Family, House of Safe Spaces, a local organization dedicated to fostering inclusivity and providing safe and supportive environments for LGBTQ+ individuals and their families. This role allows me to contribute to the betterment of my community actively and aligns with my broader goal of promoting social justice. However, pursuing higher education as a full-time working mother of three comes with its academic and financial challenges. This is where the significance of this scholarship comes into play. By alleviating some of the financial burdens associated with education, this scholarship would make college more accessible for me, enabling me to focus more on my studies and my commitment to positively impacting the lives of traumatized youth. The field of social work captivates me because it empowers professionals to intervene on various levels of society, ranging from individuals and families to support groups, schools, communities, and society as a whole. The ability to effect lasting change and promote social justice resonates deeply with my aspirations. I was inspired by the social workers I collaborated with, witnessing their ability to instigate enduring positive transformations in the lives of the youth they served. In conclusion, my personal and professional journey has shaped my commitment to social work and fueled my desire to contribute meaningfully to the lives of traumatized youth. This scholarship represents a financial assistance opportunity and a recognition of my dedication, enabling me to further my education and amplify my impact on those who need it the most. I am confident that with this support, I can continue to become a competent and compassionate social worker, facilitating positive change in the lives of the youth and communities I serve.

As a residential staff in a treatment facility, I work with traumatized youth, aged 12-18. One time a bold, vibrant and sassy teenaged girl returned from her home visit, and told me a story that changed my life forever. She told me the horrific tale about how she had been drugged and sold for sex by her mother for drugs. I was shaken and heartbroken. I did everything in my power to help this girl but I felt like I couldn't do enough. I sent reports to law enforcement, insisted she talk to her therapist, and encouraged her to cooperate with the investigation so that she could get justice. Although nothing I could have done would have erased what happened to this child, I felt a calling in my spirit to do more and be more for these kids. This and other similar stories gave me the fire in my heart to want to pursue my degree in social work. I want to be the adult that steps in and makes a difference for these kids. I want to lift them up, support them, encourage them, help them to live better lives and have better outcomes. It is easy to underestimate to the important of having accepting, encouraging, and present adults in young people's lives. I am to help clients recognize their own power and value. I want to make them feel seen and heard. A good social worker can help guide an at-risk to brighter futures. They can identify safe spaces for them and connect them with a network of programs, opportunities and provide hope. Currently, I am enrolled at Walden University and I am studying my bachelors in social work degree. I am excited to be learning all the skills. I will need to be a change maker for young people. As a social worker i will be able to actively affect what happens to these youth in our care, and can provide those youth with resources, tools and support. After my bachelor's of social work, I hope to go on to pursue my masters of social work. The scholarship you're offering would take an immense burden off of our family financially. While attending college, I am working a full-time job at a rural residential treatment facility, and supporting my 3 daughters. I appreciate how generous you are to support those who want to help others. Thank you for your consideration of my application to the scholarship.

Help me be the one adult that makes a difference! As a young teenager I was not a great student. I messed around and got into trouble, was part of a 'bad' crowd and schoolwork was secondary to my social life. I had a horrible GPA and fully intended to drop out at 16. I switched highschools as a last ditch effort to do better. Amazing teachers, counselors and my new principal helped me to learn that there is NO time too late to recover. With an enormous amount of hard work and dedication I graduated and transformed my GPA. I went on to college for art and earned a 3.65 GPA at Western Wyoming Community College for two years. Unfortunately, life's complications interfered and I did not finish my associates degree. I went on to become a mother to 3 fantastic girls. I have gone through divorce and relocation. However, I have always looked forward to finally finishing my education. The past 7 years I have worked as a residential specialist in a qualified residential treatment program in rural North Dakota. I work with traumatized youth who are survivors of adverse childhood events, such as abuse, neglect, poverty and child sexual exploitation. I facilitate groups that teach coping skills through mindfulness, yoga, self care, social emotional learning, and healthy relationships. The resilience of these children is awe inspiring. They can come from the worst circumstances and still push on to achieve amazing things. I hold the youth I work with close to my heart. I want to do more and be more for these kids. Outside of work I volunteer for a local organization serving LGBTQ individuals and their families. I help plan and participate in philanthropic events, provide awareness and education to our community about LGBTQ issues and identify safe spaces in our area. This issue concerns me because of the increasing amount of LGBTQ clients at my job, and because I have an LGBTQ child of my own. LGBTQ youth are at especially high risk of suicide and mental health issues. The Trevor Project reported that 45% of LGBTQ youth seriously considered attempting suicide in the past year, and that 60% of LGBTQ youth who wanted mental health care in the past year were not able to get it. The Trevor Project also reported that suicide risk is 40% less in youth that have at least one affirming, accepting adult in their life. I want to be that adult! I am going back to college for Social Work. Social workers make huge impacts on the outcomes of the children we work with. I want to learn skills to help these children and their futures. I want to show my own children and and our clients that it is never too late to pursue your dreams. When I see young people in struggle I remember my own hardships as a teenager, feeling defeated and incapable, but I know that with the right help and support, kindness and encouragement, nothing can hold a person back! Over time I have developed determination and clarity that makes me certain that my goal will become a reality. The Patrick Stanley Memorial Scholarship will help me to achieve that goal. Please consider me so I can be that one adult that makes a difference!

As a child I struggled with depression and anxiety, low self esteem and bullying. I was sexually molested by 2 extended family members. My father was an alcoholic and emotionally abusive. I experienced trauma and felt like I would never achieve. I used drugs and alcohol and got into trouble. My relationships were riddled with toxic and codependent traits. I considered dropping out of high school. Luckily, caring adults empowered me and gave me hope that I could recover and I was able to graduate highschool and go to college. At the same time my parents divorced and my relationships with them both mostly dissolved. Unfortunately, I did not complete my degree. I went on the work and had 2 amazing children. During that time I was raped by a stranger that destroyed my sense of autonomy and safety. After seven years of marriage I went through a painful divorce. Separation from my children while they were at their father's home was devastating. I had to reach deep into my spirit to uncover my resilience and strength. I worked hard to manage my trauma. I learned to meditate and practice gratitude. I built healthy boundaries and started commiting to my own mental health and empowerment. I learned to be willing to be vulnerable and build deep connections with others. I have worked endlessly on tending to my guiding light - my children. I work to teach them patience, kindness, and how to do hard things. I started work at a residential treatment facility for youth. I was able to transform my struggle into empathy and compassion for the young people I work with. I have helped them learn skills through facilitating groups teaching self-care, mindfulness, yoga, social-emotional learning, survival skills, healthy relationships and more. I teach skills I know work, because they have helped me. I have learned the difference between surviving and thriving. The youth I work with amaze me with their courage and fortitude, daring to have hope for their futures in the face of countless obstacles. I am inspired and driven by them, and I want to do more for them. I now have a supportive and loving partner, and a third child. She is smart, inquisitive and kind like my two other children. This year i lost my forth child due to miscarriage. It was a terrible loss but I was challenged to use all my spirit to work through it. I have transformed much of my grief into passion and new hope for the future. I have decided to pour the love I had built into the wonderful blessings I already have. I continue to work daily to tend to my mental health and healing. To better the world around me I want to get my degree in social work. Social workers create change in for the children they serve. I want to empower and provide safety and stability for youth, and I can help ensure better outcomes as a social worker. My mission is to be the one adult that makes a difference for a child.

As a child I struggled with depression and anxiety, low self esteem and bullying. I was sexually molested by 2 extended family members. My father was an alcoholic and emotionally abusive. I experienced trauma and felt like I would never achieve. I used drugs and alcohol and got into trouble. My relationships were riddled with toxic and codependent traits. I considered dropping out of high school. Luckily, caring adults empowered me and gave me hope that I could recover and I was able to graduate highschool and go to college. At the same time my parents divorced and my relationships with them both mostly dissolved. Unfortunately, I did not complete my degree. I went on the work and had 2 amazing children. During that time I was raped by a stranger that destroyed my sense of autonomy and safety. After seven years of marriage I went through a painful divorce. Separation from my children while they were at their father's home was devastating. I had to reach deep into my spirit to uncover my resilience and strength. I worked hard to manage my trauma. I learned to meditate and practice gratitude. I built healthy boundaries and started commiting to my own mental health and empowerment. I learned to be willing to be vulnerable and build deep connections with others. I have worked endlessly on tending to my guiding light - my children. I work to teach them patience, kindness, and how to do hard things. I started work at a residential treatment facility for youth. I was able to transform my struggle into empathy and compassion for the young people I work with. I have helped them learn skills through facilitating groups teaching self-care, mindfulness, yoga, social-emotional learning, survival skills, healthy relationships and more. I teach skills I know work, because they have helped me. I have learned the difference between surviving and thriving. The youth I work with amaze me with their courage and fortitude, daring to have hope for their futures in the face of countless obstacles. I am inspired and driven by them, and I want to do more for them. I now have a supportive and loving partner, and a third child. She is smart, inquisitive and kind like my two other children. This year i lost my forth child due to miscarriage. It was a terrible loss but I was challenged to use all my spirit to work through it. I have transformed much of my grief into passion and new hope for the future. I have decided to pour the love I had built into the wonderful blessings I already have. To better the world around me I want to get my degree in social work. Social workers create change in for the children they serve. I want to empower and provide safety and stability for youth, and I can help ensure better outcomes as a social worker. My mission is to be the one adult that makes a difference for a child.

Let's change the system! I work in a qualified residential treatment program for traumatized youth. I work with children who are survivors of abuse, neglect, child sexual exploitation and poverty. Many of the clients we serve have spent years in foster homes and treatments facilities. We often have residents that are gifted, however these children are held back due to the volatility of their lives. Education is disrupted when children are moved from place to place, and often the circumstances these youth come from have resulted in long lapses in their school attendance, with smart children ending up months or years behind in school. When they are exposed to such high rates of trauma, nurturing their talents becomes secondary. Smart kids must use their intelligence for survival, and they often feel overwhelmed and without support. Right now I facilitate groups to teach youth coping skills and life skills through mindfulness, yoga, social emotional learning, healthy relationships, self care and more. Once a child builds resiliency and begins to heal from their trauma, they can start to reach their potential. At my work I have been one of the several adults who have helped these youth so extraordinary things, like earn their high school diploma, get accepted into college, or move on to living independently. As a gifted student myself I learned that being 'smart' isn't always enough. I had high test scores but low grades during my early high school years. I was riddled with chronic depression and social anxiety. Supportive teachers, counselors, and therapists helped me overcome my own challenges and find success. I hope to do the same for these young people. As a social worker I can improve outcomes for these at risk youth. We can help recognize gifted children and help them to develop and capitalize on their talents. These kids need supportive adults, who believe in them and recognize their strengths, the underlying genius that often is hidden within. I want to help these kids break through barriers, identify their goals and work hard to thrive. Social workers can make all the difference for a youth in need. Right now the system these children live in is full of roadblocks to success, but when an adult empowers these kids the results can be magical. I want to help them work through all the trauma and self limiting beliefs to find the smart, capable and worthy young people they are. Social workers partner with schools to make sure the education needs of their clients are met. As a social worker I can explore many options to help my clients achieve. Help me to become a social worker so I can help kids reach their full potential!

Being a mother has been the most challenging and rewarding experience of my life. My children reflect all of the best and worst parts of me. My children are the center point in my life around which everything I do is focused. When I was divorced from my two oldest children's father, our lives were turned upside down. I only got to have my children some of the time and I realized how painful separation from them was. In the time since I worked hard to build that connection in every way I can. I started working at a residential treatment program for youth, and have used that experience to become a better mother. I have learned that it is often better to be kind rather than 'right'. I have learned that children always do better when they are empowered. I work endlessly to provide, love, support and advocacy for my own children and the children I work with. I feel that being a mother is a full time job, the most wholehearted job I could ever do. With the encouragement and support of my family and coworkers I have chosen to go back to college to pursue a bachelor's of Social Work. I also volunteer at a local organization for LGBTQ individuals and their families. We provide fellowship and advocacy for our members and community. One of my children is LGBTQ and a member of the local GSA our organization helped create. I am inspired by her intelligence, empathy and bravery to be who she truly is. I am so proud of how kind and thoughtful my children are, challenging social 'norms' by being willing to stand up for themselves and others in solidarity for acceptance. My child has suffered through a lot of bullying and isolation, and chose to come live with me during the school year which has alleviated many of her issues, she is no longer depressed and volatile, and has built a network of supporting friends. I want to do everything in my power to build a community where children like mine are lifted up, affirmed and accepted. The Trevor Project has reported that 42% of LGBTQ youth seriously considered attempting suicide in the past year, including more than half of transgender and nonbinary youth. However LGBTQ youth who have one affirming accepting adult have a 40% less suicide risk. I want to be that adult, not only for my own children, but for many others. With the supermom scholarship I can demonstrate to me children that you can overcome adversity by reaching for your dreams, living life through your values and working to make the world a place where love always wins!

I want to be the one adult that makes a difference! For the past 7 years I have been working with youth in a residential treatment program in rural North Dakota. These youth are survivors of childhood trauma. I facilitate groups for these young people to teach them coping skills, through mindfulness, yoga, self care, healthy relationships, social emotional learning, and more. I am amazed by the fortitude and resilience these youth have, overcoming obstacles like abuse, neglect, poverty, child sexual exploitation, drug addiction and so much more. Many of these kids have been in foster care and placement programs for years, and are in desperate need of someone to advocate for their well-being. I know that caring adults who are willing and able to help provide better outcomes for these kids can make all the difference in the world. I also volunteer for a local organization, Beach Pride Family House of Safe Spaces that advocates and supports local LGBTQ individuals and their families. I help organize philanthropic events, educate our community, and create fellowship for our members. This organization has helped provide safe spaces for LGBTQ youth, such as a GSA, a youth organization for LGBTQ kids and allies. This issue is important to me because I have an LGBTQ child of my own and it is imperative that I do everything possible to ensure my child, and all kids in our community have safety and acceptance. The Trevor Project has reported that 45% of LGBTQ youth seriously considered attempting suicide in the past year, and that 60% of LGBTQ youth who wanted mental health care in the past year were not able to get it? Trevor Project also reported that one affirming, accepting adult in a LGBTQ youth's life can reduce the risk of suicide by 40%. I want to be that adult! In pursuit of these goals I am going back to college for a degree in social work. Social workers are changing lives. I want to do more for all of these young people I hold so close to my heart. Through social work education I can learn more tools to provide clients with meaningful and lasting change. I can take on case management so I will be able to influence what happens to children after they leave our care. The Holt scholarship could help me to do more and be more for young people in our community. I hope you consider my application and are willing to help me reach my goal of being that one adult that makes a difference!

I believe in a world where everyone is allowed to be loved and accepted as exactly who they are, without fear of judgment. I work in a qualified residential treatment program, serving youth aged 12 to 18. These youth have extensive childhood trauma and have experienced abuse, neglect, poverty, homelessness, childhood, sexual exploitation and more. At work, I facilitate therapeutic groups to teach these amazing young people coping skills and resiliency. I teach them self-care, yoga, mindfulness, healthy relationships, money and planning, social-emotional learning and more. One of my favorite groups is painting, where they learn to use art as a soothing skill, learning new art techniques to express themselves. My heart swells when past residents tell me that skills I have helped them to learn are being used so they can live successful and happy lives. I want to further my education to become a social worker so that I can do even more to help these young people. With a social work degree, I will be able to impact their outcomes, hopefully leading them to safer and brighter futures after discharge. Social workers are true change-makers. Outside of work, I am a founding member of a local organization providing support and community to LGBTQ individuals. We gather to discuss issues within our community, and advocate for our members. We host philanthropic events, and involve ourselves in community events to provide awareness of LGBTQ issues and seek support and understanding to provide safe spaces for LGBTQ people in our community. Our group has helped to start a GSA for youth in our community through fundraising and assistance. This GSA has provided a safe space for young people in our community. I am eternally grateful because my own eldest child is a member of this group. Through my experiences volunteering, I have learned that when you can't find a safe space, you must do the hard work and create it yourself. I am driven to be the person who is willing to put in that effort. One of my goals to do everything possible to create a safe, affirming, inclusive community. We live in a small rural town where resources are limited through social work, I can provide even more support to those around me who I care deeply for. Helping those who are in need is one of my greatest callings. The Trevor project has reported that an LGBTQ youth's risk of suicide is decreased by 40% when that youth has just one supportive affirming adult in their life. I want to be that adult. Thank you for the opportunity! I hope that you consider helping me to achieve my dream, with your support I will be able to do more for more people.

The COVID pandemic had far reaching impacts. Schools were shut down, and businesses were closed, work from home became the norm for many people. Telehealth became the avenue for patients to reach their doctors and all sorts of meetings and gatherings were now virtual. Those with substance use disorder were especially affected. The shutdown exasperated mental health concerns nationwide as public health agencies were forces to close or limit their services. In person support groups became zoom meetings. An ideal online treatment center would provide a vast menu of services. They would conduct therapy appointments to connect a client with a therapist and also provide support through a substance abuse coach. The platform would need to hire enough individuals so that each client could receive adequate care. In a crisis, waiting on hold for a long period of time can exponentially increase anxiety, so steps would need to be taken to help clients access their care quickly and easily. Free resources that include video counseling would be a part of the platform, as well as affordable mental health services. The goal should be to provide as much treatment to individuals as possible, rather than to make the most money off of them. Support group sessions are essential, and providing these at a variety of times so that all clients have access to attend would be crucial. These could easily be done over a zoom call. Partnerships with psychiatrists that are able to provide medical interventions would also be very helpful, especially if they are affordable and accessable. The platform should include a variety of self-care activities. There could easily be resources for deep breathing exercises, mindfulness, journal prompts, and CBT resources. A messaging system where clients could speak about their concerns and have them forwarded to their therapist or substance abuse coach would be fantastic. Many people are intimidated by talking about their issues face to face, being able to write them down and then reviewing them at a future session could help them open up. Those with substance use disorder usually have co-occurring mental health conditions, and often have high rates of trauma. Helping them to understand these conditions and how they interact with their substance use needs to be an important part of treatment. Informational sections educating the clients on these concerns and teaching them skills for resilience would be helpful. It would be important for therapists and coaches to refer clients to this information. Most of the important work of overcoming addiction is done in the time between therapy sessions, when people are left to their own devices and are working through their obstacles. Most importantly, relationships need to be built to make changes, each client would need a specific team to help them, so they can build deeper connections and relationships with a small group of people. When matching a client to a therapist or substance abuse coach, considerations should be made of about when these clients will be available to do calls or appointments. One of the barriers people have to therapy is that often clinics are only available Monday through Friday during business hours. This old model of doing things doesn't work for people who have full-time jobs and responsibilities. As a result, if they can get care a lot of times, these people are forced to work with whoever is on call, who they may not have a relationship with. In a crisis you need. Someone you can trust and trust is built through relationships. They need to have access to people they are familiar with, who already know their story and struggle so that each time they are reaching out for help, they are not pushed aside to whoever happens to be available. Lastly, therapist and substance use coaches should be personally reaching out to clients they are working with. Their communications should be personal and real. Copy and paste emails just don't work, because they are so impersonal and feel more like an advertisement than a communication. A client check-in should be simple but intimate. Simply saying "I asked you to practice this technique this week, and I'd love some feedback about how that is working out for you."

Imagine a world where everyone is accepted for, who they are, who they love, and who they will become? Right now, there has been a concerning shift in our society that is pushing people back into the closet. I want to see a world where everyone is accepted. I know that big changes can come from small acts of kindness, empathy and understanding. I want all people to feel comfortable in their own skin and look forward to a future without fear of judgment or discrimination. I am passionate about helping youth, especially LGBTQ youth who are at a increased risk of suicide, bullying, drug and alcohol, addictions and more. These youth are especially vulnerable and need care and affirming support from our communities. I volunteer for a local organization that advocates for LGBTQ+ individuals. We provide community and support to them and their families. I plan to continue to help grow this organization so that people in our rural community can find fellowship and be allowed to live in their true selves. I want to help provide education to our community and the surrounding area so that they can understand that providing safe spaces for these people can literally save lives. Additionally, I am going back to college to earn my Bachelor's in Social Work. Right now I work in a qualified residential treatment program, as a residential specialist. I facilitate therapeutic groups for clients in our care, teaching them coping skills, money and planning skills, healthy relationships, social and emotional learning and more. These kids impact me deeply, and I am honored to be a part of stories. I see their strength and resilience, and it humbles me everyday. I want to be able to do more for traumatized youth. I know that one adult can make the difference for these children. I hope to be that adult.

Please help me to help others so that North Dakota can become an even better place to live! For the past 7 years I have worked as a residential specialist at Home on the Range. I have worked with a variety of traumatized youth in residential treatment. I care deeply about these youth. I help facilitate therapeutic groups that provide youth who have experienced adverse childhood events, coping skills, independent living skills, healthy relationship skills, and more. More. Each one of the youth that I work with has touched my heart deeply, I am honored to be a page in their story. The children I work with have a lot of trauma, come from diverse backgrounds and cultures and are all survivors. Each client has taught me about the power of hope, the strength of the human spirit, under the meaning of true kindness. I love my job, but I know that I can do more, and becoming a social worker is the path to the future that I feel like will be most impactful. I want to help young people overcome sex trafficking, drug addiction, mental health issues, poverty, and broken social systems. Systems. The only way I can do that is through support and advocacy. There's a whole group of kids in the state of North Dakota that are underserved, and I want to be the one adult that makes a difference as often as I can. Additionally, I have become a volunteer founding member of Beach, Pride, Family, House of Safe Spaces which advocates for LGBTQ individuals in our community and provides fellowship, philanthropy, and education in the beach area. Promoting inclusion and acceptance is such an important part of my life. With a bachelor's in social work, I can help youth or towards better outcomes and brighter futures. I want them to overcome obstacles in their lives and trauma, and return to their communities to make them stronger, safer, and healthier. Good social workers are givers, they look at the whole person and do their best to help them grow and achieve. I am passionate about helping children and their families. I've personally seen the impact of collaboration between social workers and families.