Hello

I’m thrilled to share a bit about my journey into the world of wellness. My path began during my undergraduate studies in criminal justice at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University in Greensboro, where my field experience at a local juvenile detention center opened my eyes to the power of empathy and set me on my journey into mental health.

 

I earned my Master of Social Work degree from the University of South Carolina-Columbia and gained valuable clinical experience working with children, adolescents, and families facing mental health challenges, as well as issues of abuse and neglect. My career then took me into federal service, where I spent nearly a decade supporting Veterans and their families within the healthcare system. Through various leadership roles, I fostered community partnerships and led initiatives aimed at improving staff engagement and patient satisfaction. One of my most rewarding experiences was teaching graduate and medical students about the importance of empathy in their future careers.

 

As I navigated through life’s transitions—marrying my wonderful husband and welcoming our three children—I felt a growing desire to create a platform dedicated to raising mental health awareness in everyday spaces.  I believe that investing in our community goes beyond mere transactions; it’s essential to focus on system-wide enhancements rather than relying solely on individual interventions. The Art Wellness Exchange® is an introspective experience designed to leverage art for building mental health awareness, sparking conversations, and strengthening community connections. This initiative offers participants an engaging way to gain mental health insights in everyday spaces, aiming to reduce stigma and support the ongoing journey towards mental wellness. The Art Wellness Exchange® can be tailored for various audiences, including students, faculty, staff, and healthcare workers.

 

I am proud to serve on the Delegate Assembly for the National Association of Social Workers-North Carolina, the Content Advisory Committee for the American Alliance of Museums, and the Learning and Community Engagement Committee at the Norton Museum of Art. With the launch of the Art Wellness Exchange®, the Hand Made Dreams® platform continues to grow, and I am excited about the partnerships we've established along the way. If you’re interested in collaborating with us or would like to learn more about how the Art Wellness Exchange® can benefit your community, we invite you to reach out! Let’s work together to create meaningful change and promote mental health awareness for everyone.