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I have always had a great desire to help people. Combining that desire with an adventurous spirit, I joined the Coast Guard when I was 17 and moved from my home in Hawaii to my station in Florida. It was an exciting time of my life and I felt very fulfilled with the help I provided for those in need. My life moved on afterwards and I continued to do what I could to help others. In my 30’s, I experienced some hardships in my life and I lost focus of a future for a few years. After being released from jail, I realized I needed to get control of my life and make some changes. I returned to college a month after my release and started turning my life around. These challenges have provided me with insight and empathy into those who are experiencing struggles in their lives. The changes I’ve made in my life in the last 7 years have had dramatic results; I’m about to obtain my BS degree and I’m truly happy. I’ve learned through my struggles that being hopeful and working towards a future as well as having gratitude for what I do have provides me the tools I need to cope with anything life throws my way. I believe in working to be a part of the solution. I want to work with people and not for people. I take action whenever possible to do my part to make a difference and help unite those in my community and improve their lives. I volunteer in the Suicide Prevention program for the Veteran’s Administration; as a veteran myself I believe this program is incredibly vital. I perform work there that many would find mundane: putting together prevention packets, stocking materials, etc. however, I get great satisfaction that I’m a part of a program that is saving lives. I believe all contributing members of a team are important. I also volunteer at Bike Farm which is a bicyling community collective. I’m also the volunteer coordinator for the cycling advocacy groups BikeLoudPDX and Bike PSU. the cycling community has provided so much to me that I feel compelled to do my part to give back. I’m currently employed for a non-profit.
I’ve lived all over the US as well as in Ireland briefly. I have a wanderlust and love to travel and experience new cultures. I don’t anticipate having issues acclimating to a foreign culture and homesickness has never been an issue for me. I believe in embracing what you have and working in that environment rather than longing for something else.
Volunteering in the Peace Corps has always been a dream of and with my upcoming graduation in December, I am ready to make this dream make this a reality. I know that serving in the Peace Corps will present significant challenges but I feel I am up to that challenge. I’m looking forward to the opportunities and rewards that will result from these challenges.