Behind The Smile...

How would you describe your identity and your cultural background? 

I would describe my identity as a Christ-forward woman. I really love to laugh and feel the sun on my face, and I want other people to feel the same way. I want people to be able to experience joy. I want people to feel loved, both by God and by others. I want people to feel empowered to make fruitful decisions for their lives. I grew up in Evanston, IL and received a very decent public education. In my teen years and beyond, I’ve experienced hefty bouts of depression. It’s not fair, but I’m in charge of my reactions to what life throws my way. So I volunteered and placed myself in positions of service to others, in the hopes that they wouldn't feel as alone as I felt. 

What stands out to you about your upbringing and background? 

What stands out to me about my upbringing and background is the emphasis on my education. I began reading at an early age because I was surrounded by books; I was encouraged to orally express myself by teachers and other caretakers. Despite having experienced trauma, I consistently demonstrated resilience. When my back has been against the wall, I’ve always found the strength to calibrate and move toward a solution.

What have been the Top 3 most pivotal experiences in your life? 

In relation to pursuing the smile, the top 3 most pivotal experiences in my life have been starting mini-businesses as a teen when I was broke, getting on stages to perform, and overcoming a major bout of anxiety and depression a few years ago. 

How do they contribute to your “Vision” or the motivation for taking on PTS? 

In that situation from a few years ago, I found myself so lonely and in such a dark place. At some point I had stopped smiling and laughing. I actually couldn’t even imagine the day when I would laugh again. I knew I had to do something, or I would die. That’s when I started watching comedy movies and spending a lot of time in nature. I consciously and deliberately started to pursue the smile. It was hard and there were times that I had to force myself to be proactive in fighting misery, but I did it. Ultimately, I moved out of that situation and decided to dedicate my life to building connection and community with others.

What are your Top 3 proudest achievements?  

My top 3 proudest achievements are graduating from college, despite battling that anxiety and depression; completing 100 burpees; and nursing myself back to health.

How have these motivated you to create PTS?  

These achievements have motivated me to create PTS because they highlight that resilience and attitude are necessary to progress in this lifetime. It’s not enough to have a sad story. Everyone, upon turning 18yo, has a sad story. What are you going to do about it? And how are you going to go about your goal? What’s the plan? I want to encourage people to not only HAVE a goal, not only have a PLAN to achieve it, but to walk it out with faith and grace.

How will these experiences help you guide PTS? 

PTS happened by accident. It was a culmination of unfortunate events that I have been forced to overcome. Without the type of support that would allow me to wallow in my pain. I had to get up, eventually, and get on with it. Pursue The Smile. I don’t have a business degree, I have a mission to serve others..and there’s an emphasis on foster youth, for me. Having The James House as the North Star means moving with stewardship, humility, and clarity.

When you think of the people you’ve been proudest to help or serve, who are they? 

The kiddos. I’ve worked in soooo many settings with youth and I feel inspired by their world views. I’ve been taught how to do a handstand, encouraged to sing louder, and learned that to tie your shoes is likely one of the hardest things you’ll ever do. My job in all of it is to be a vessel for God’s care, wisdom, and guidance. I’m very proud to be a servant.

What have you been able to do with the people you’ve brought together professionally,  personally, or around the topics that are most important to you and PTS? 

Well, PTS boldly supports The James House, a ministry that creates long-term group homes for adolescent boys. A large part of this mission is to have these imago Dei conversations. How do we, as communities, ensure that every child has access to the same opportunities? What does it look like to prioritize emotional regulation in foster youth? What does it look like for a community to contribute time, money, or resources to give foster youth a fighting chance?  Together, we could change the face of the foster care system.