Community Outreach and Volunteer Activities
2019-2023 Youth Mental Health and Neurodivergent Advocate, Curriculum Reviewer
Worked with high school and district parent groups, teachers, administrators, school board, and community health and special education partners to advocate for inclusion, accessibility, and mental health. Provided consulting services on amendments to curriculum to make them more accessible to neurodivergent students, including those with ADHD and those with auditory or visual processing disorders.
2017-2020 Youth STEAM Academy Non-profit co-Founder and Board Vice President
Schrodinger Academy, Lansing, Michigan. Co-founder and developer of multisensory, high-quality teaching and lab experiences for homeschooled middle and high school students in the greater Lansing area, with a strong emphasis on twice-exceptional learners and others that have not found a good fit in traditional school settings due to learning differences, mental health challenges, or negative peer experiences.
2004-2017 Community Organizer, Averill Woods Neighborhood Association, Lansing, Michigan
(President 2007 to 2017; Vice-President 2004-2007)
Used principles and strategies of community psychology and community and economic development to do the following:
2015-2018 Social Media Outreach Coordinator, Rejuvenating South Lansing, Lansing Michigan
2015-2017 Working Group Member, Lansing Neighborhood Council, Lansing Michigan
2015-2016 Social Media Outreach Coordinator, Youth Gardening Coalition, Lansing Michigan
2008-2020 Digital Media Author
Author of education resources website Inclusive Resources for Parent Educators and Cookies, Crayons & Chaos, focusing on education resources, public policy, community development, parenting gifted and special needs, and creative pursuits.
2009-2011 Digital Media Contributor
Contributor to successful local online and radio outlet Lansing Online News on topics of education and public policy.
1996-2001 Youth Leadership Program Advisor
Capital Region Community Foundation Youth Progressive Action Council, Lansing, Michigan. Volunteer position to assist 6th through 12th grade students in developing and using leadership skills to participate as junior board members, evaluating grants and making funding recommendations for youth programs.
1997-1998 Community Children’s Art Studio Board Member
ARTSPACE, Old Town, Lansing, Michigan. Helped guide fundraising, development, and promotion of this non-profit organization designed to bring art education to children in the neighborhood and schools, with a particular emphasis on low-income neighborhoods.
1993 Legislative Briefing Conference Assistant
"For the sake of Michigan's Children and their families: An exploration of issues and policies." Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan.
1991 Legislative Committee, Youth Advisory Board Member
Greater Lansing Youth Advisory Council, Lansing, Michigan. Volunteered as an advisor to this non-profit youth empowerment organization designed to assist middle through high school students in learning about and engaging in the public policy process.
Worked with high school and district parent groups, teachers, administrators, school board, and community health and special education partners to advocate for inclusion, accessibility, and mental health. Provided consulting services on amendments to curriculum to make them more accessible to neurodivergent students, including those with ADHD and those with auditory or visual processing disorders.
2017-2020 Youth STEAM Academy Non-profit co-Founder and Board Vice President
Schrodinger Academy, Lansing, Michigan. Co-founder and developer of multisensory, high-quality teaching and lab experiences for homeschooled middle and high school students in the greater Lansing area, with a strong emphasis on twice-exceptional learners and others that have not found a good fit in traditional school settings due to learning differences, mental health challenges, or negative peer experiences.
2004-2017 Community Organizer, Averill Woods Neighborhood Association, Lansing, Michigan
(President 2007 to 2017; Vice-President 2004-2007)
Used principles and strategies of community psychology and community and economic development to do the following:
- Program development - Develop neighborhood level programs and strategies in response to resident concerns
- Policy analysis - Conduct policy analysis and advocacy at city and county levels in partnership with residents and elected officials; Areas of policy analysis have included cell tower ordinances, crime prevention through environmental design, medical marijuana, public school restructuring, economic development plans, parks master plan, city master plan, zoning
- Surveys and data analysis - Develop and conduct surveys of community assets, perceptions, spending patterns for use in strategy development
- Social Media Outreach - Maintain website and communications networks via social media, newsletters, marketing tools, various digital notification software
- Social networks - Enhance community engagement and community driven economic development
- Communications - Produce press releases, appear at press conferences, participate in radio interviews, speak at public hearings representing board
- Grant writing - Apply for grants to support community activities, school & community garden
- School partnerships - Develop school partnerships for education and community improvement
- Volunteer organizing - Plan and implement successful community work days with volunteers
2015-2018 Social Media Outreach Coordinator, Rejuvenating South Lansing, Lansing Michigan
- Social Media Outreach - Maintain website and Facebook Group
2015-2017 Working Group Member, Lansing Neighborhood Council, Lansing Michigan
- Social Media Outreach - Maintain website and Facebook Group
- Communications - Help develop and implement communication and outreach strategies to support neighborhood organizations and associations.
2015-2016 Social Media Outreach Coordinator, Youth Gardening Coalition, Lansing Michigan
- Social Media Outreach - Maintain website and Facebook Group
2008-2020 Digital Media Author
Author of education resources website Inclusive Resources for Parent Educators and Cookies, Crayons & Chaos, focusing on education resources, public policy, community development, parenting gifted and special needs, and creative pursuits.
2009-2011 Digital Media Contributor
Contributor to successful local online and radio outlet Lansing Online News on topics of education and public policy.
1996-2001 Youth Leadership Program Advisor
Capital Region Community Foundation Youth Progressive Action Council, Lansing, Michigan. Volunteer position to assist 6th through 12th grade students in developing and using leadership skills to participate as junior board members, evaluating grants and making funding recommendations for youth programs.
1997-1998 Community Children’s Art Studio Board Member
ARTSPACE, Old Town, Lansing, Michigan. Helped guide fundraising, development, and promotion of this non-profit organization designed to bring art education to children in the neighborhood and schools, with a particular emphasis on low-income neighborhoods.
1993 Legislative Briefing Conference Assistant
"For the sake of Michigan's Children and their families: An exploration of issues and policies." Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan.
1991 Legislative Committee, Youth Advisory Board Member
Greater Lansing Youth Advisory Council, Lansing, Michigan. Volunteered as an advisor to this non-profit youth empowerment organization designed to assist middle through high school students in learning about and engaging in the public policy process.