When I first joined Family Care Network, I saw it as an opportunity to put my education and training in mental health to good use. What I didn’t expect was how important it would be to have my work align with my personal values, nor how actively caring for the most vulnerable people in my home community would help me achieve a lifelong goal of mine.
I grew up in San Luis Obispo County, and even as a teenager, I knew I wanted to pursue a career that centered on helping others. After years of schooling and professional development, stepping into my role as a Support Specialist at FCNI seemed like a great opportunity to utilize both my passion and skills to help make my community better.
One story that has stayed with me over the years happened during my very first year with FCNI. I worked with a young man aging out of foster care who was facing homelessness. He reminded me of a childhood friend of mine who didn’t have the same family support I had growing up. Walking alongside this young adult and supporting his efforts to secure housing and enroll in community college was powerful; not only because I knew I was needed but because I got to witness his confidence—his sense of who he is and what he is capable of—grow and make his achievement of life-changing goals possible. I learned then how important a person’s self-worth really is, and how it was my job—my purpose—to nurture and build-up the youth I work with.
Every day, I get to live out my values by helping youth build lives of hope, stability, support, and empowerment. Serving with Family Care Network allows me to give back to the community that has given so much to me.
