Humanitarian Work:
A good friend and colleague of mine spoke towards the need for what she calls the "humanitarian industrial complex". A shift in perspective where the impetus for our economic systems moves from a place of military needs and conflict to a place of investment in compassion and lifting everyone up (Credit to Alexandra Ravenscroft).
By working on projects that increase systems of support and decrease systems of conflict, we can all create an economic system that profits from compassion and healthy communities, as opposed to dichotomization and othering for the sake of profit. In this particular area I have chosen to focus on mental health program development, Anti extremism/Anti Hate work, and fighting human trafficking. |
Mental Health Program Development
I am quite keen on working with program development of mental health systems which are trauma informed, multiculturally competent, and holistic in their application. As a therapist I have had the pleasure of working with some of the top community mental health centers in the country, as well as pioneers in the field of trauma and recovery. What has emerged is a sense of the readiness of our culture to embrace mental health as a priority, as well as a willingness to explore more holistic paradigms, from plant spirit medicine to neurofeedback research.
Anti-Hate/Anti-Extremism Work
I have been involved in activism for the past 17 years and counting. I have found myself in many communities and have been witness to many different perspectives. I believe, from my experiences, that working with endeavors to de-radicalize certain elements of our current culture, as well as continuously and consistently disallowing hate ideologies to have any space in our communities, is essential. I work with different groups to create spaces where extremism and hate are not allowed to exist, but where those who have fallen prey to those ideologies always have room to return to a better way of being...provided the are willing to do the work necessary to address their harm to said communities.
Human Trafficking
Given my own past and the things I grew up with, I am very passionate about bringing awareness to the effects of human slavery and trafficking to the general public. I am very interested in collaborating with groups doing this work. Whether bringing awareness, field operations, or recovery from those experiences. Those humans who have been relegated to becoming things or objects for others deserve to have their voices heard, their stories told, and most certainly justice.