I am from Halifax and grew up in the Mulgrave Park community. I began working with Phoenix in June 2013 and was a member of the Phoenix Youth and Community Centre summer team for two years as the Job coach/Program Facilitator. In April of 2015 I was hired as the Coordinator of the Phoenix Youth and Community Centre.
Before joining the Phoenix team, I worked for Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) for over 10 years. Throughout my time working with HRM I’ve had the opportunity to work with youth in various communities. Most recently I was a Youth Advocate Worker in the Central Halifax area, providing frontline support to youth and families helping to reduce key risk factors of isolation, stress and negative rushes that make youth vulnerable to engaging in criminal and or gang related activities. We also supported youth to increase their protective factors including self-reliance, resiliency, life, and pro-social skills by engaging youth in constructive behaviors with family, school, and community. The need for dignified housing options has always been of paramount importance to this work.