Community Impact Throughout my career, I have dedicated myself to serving others through counseling, advocacy, and education. My work has reached diverse communities from patients and families navigating cancer and trauma, to students, faith groups, and professional organizations. As a 15-year breast cancer survivor, and a mother who has walked alongside other survivors in my own family, I bring lived experience that deepens my empathy. This allows me to connect with patients and families in ways that combine clinical skill with authentic understanding. I’ve spoken at health conferences and advocacy events, raising awareness about mental health as part of healing. I’ve written a book about cancer as well and helped release stigma about mental health through published articles in magazines, podcasts, radio, and tv. In schools and colleges, I’ve encouraged young people to prioritize their mental well-being, manage stress, and build resilience. In churches and faith-based settings, I’ve shared messages of hope and practical tools for navigating grief, illness, and relational struggles. Within business groups and community organizations, I’ve taught strategies for communication on mental health, stress management, and fostering healthier environments. Through BetterHelp, I’ve expanded that impact further, providing accessible therapy to clients across the globe and consistently ranking among the platform’s top ambassadors for Therapists Voices. This reach has allowed me to support countless individuals who may not have had access to mental health care otherwise through the Brand Ambassador Program. It's our mission to lessen the stigma through social media articles and videos. At the core of all I do is the desire to help people feel less invisible and more empowered. Whether in therapy, at a podium, or within a community group, my mission is always the same: to bring hope, healing, and strength to those who need it most. Financial Need Carrying student loan debt while raising my daughter as a single mother has been one of my greatest challenges. As a 15-year breast cancer survivor, much of my financial journey has included medical cancer costs, caregiving responsibilities, and rebuilding stability. Despite working full-time as a therapist and serving a large caseload through BetterHelp, the remaining $12,000 + of my student loans has been a heavy weight. Next Spring my only child will begin her college journey into a Doctorate Program. While I am deeply proud of her advancement (she's still a Senior in highschool), preparing to support tuition, housing, and her new chapter brings financial pressures/burdens at the same time I am still repaying my own education. The overlap of these obligations often feels overwhelming, especially being a single parent. This award would reduce my student loan and would be life-changing. It would lift the constant stress of repayment and allow me to focus more fully on supporting my daughter’s education. It would also free me to pursue continued professional development, and resources that enhance my ability to serve clients. As a single mother, survivor, and counselor, I have poured my heart into helping others heal, even while carrying extreme personal financial hardship. This relief would honor that effort and empower me to keep giving back at a higher level. More than financial assistance, it would represent hope proof that the work of helping others is valued and supported.