Meet The Team

 My earliest memories included noticing suffering, pondering heaven, and recognizing injustice.  I thought every child fell asleep at night wondering what was beyond the physical realm. As soon as I could write, you would find me sending letters of encouragement to someone who was sick or grieving. One might say, I was called to social work.

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 I have lived the majority of my life in the Pacific Northwest; however, I was blessed to experience black-eyed peas, fried chicken, torrential downpours, and the fireflies of the deep south. It was my time in South Carolina that grew my awareness of injustice recognizing the spirit of slavery was very much still alive.  Just a middle schooler without the wisdom, knowledge, or power to make a change, I used what I had to address the condition. With a couple of dozen eggs, I targeted the homes in my neighborhood that harbored people who were racist. (My skills are much more refined now and full of love.) It is from these experiences that I vowed to use the ways I hold power to blaze a way for those who hold less power.

I am blessed to be the Office Manager and training facilitator at Raising Resilience. I have a degree in Criminal Justice and years of experience with teaching and experiential education. I have a passion for helping families and individuals through difficult times. My favorite hobbies are spending time with my kids and hiking.

Working with children has always been my passion from the time I was young, at one point dreaming of being a lawyer for children to advocate for their rights. My mom was inspiring to me, becoming a licensed social worker while raising me and my three brothers as a single parent. I grew up knowing that life had challenges, but I also knew that there are ways to overcome them.

I grew up in Southern California where there is a lot of sunshine, and a lot of diversity. It’s not uncommon to see homeless people on every corner or have someone approach you at the store, begging for some money. As kids my mom taught us to help people, giving them bottles of water or offering some of our groceries. Sharing my resources and talents came naturally to me, and even after I graduated from high school I gave back to the community by coaching cheerleading in my former middle school while taking college courses.

 My move to the pacific northwest started out as a vacation and quickly surprised everyone when I packed my car and relocated to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. I lived with some family friends and finished my associate, then my bachelor’s, then my master’s degree in social work, all the while serving coffee at Dutch Bros. first as barista and then as a manager. I love working with people and find it easy to motivate them to do their best work, and nurture them along the way.

After graduating with my Master’s Degree in Social Work in 2020 and passing my licensure exam, I knew I did not only want to be an advocate for what children need, but also help them to heal emotionally from the challenges that life circumstances bring. Children (and adults) sometimes need some extra guidance and care to discover what they need, and my goal is to provide that emotional support so children can advocate for themselves as they mature. My hope is that everyone who walks through the door at Raising Resilience, gets the biological, psychological, social, and spiritual support they need to become the best they can be.

Mel's Bio Coming.....

My name is Jodi and I have been in the social work field for quite some time.  I have worked in a domestic violence and sexual assault shelter, grade schools, high schools, with individuals on Medicare and Medicaid completing assessments, and most recently here at Raising Resilience.  I received my undergraduate degree in psychology from Central Washington University and am in the process of finishing my graduate degree in social work from Boise State University. I am your typical Pacific Northwest girl who loves hiking, backpacking, hot springs, and most things that involve the outdoors. I have my pup named Bear who is my true hiking companion.  

Rebecca is currently pursuing her Bachelor’s in Social Work at Lewis-Clark State College. Her academic journey began in 2019 at North Idaho College, where she initially majored in Psychology with aspirations of becoming a counselor. Inspired by her advisor's guidance, she shifted her focus to social work, discovering a pathway that allows for greater impact and connection within the helping field.

Rebecca's passion for understanding human behavior is matched only by her commitment to service. With a background working at a rehabilitation center for substance use, she has also served as a job coach for individuals with disabilities and in classroom settings. Currently, she volunteers with Hospice of North Idaho, providing support and compassion to those in need.

Rebecca believes that every individual is like a spider on a web—each person’s story and experiences are interconnected. She emphasizes the importance of building supportive networks, embracing resources, and moving forward, no matter the challenges. Through her studies and experiences, she is committed to weaving a brighter future for herself and those she serves.

In her downtime, Rebecca loves to spend time with her children and family, often watching movies or playing games. She enjoys traveling, hiking, and kayaking. 

I am currently a Boise State University student working towards gaining my Masters of Social Work degree and license. However, I have been a licensed Bachelors level Social Worker since April 2022. My experience has been in working on a college campus with college students, working with child welfare, and volunteering at summer camps and childcare. Overall, I enjoy working with kids, teens, young adults and families. When I am not working, I like to draw, play tennis, paddleboard or learn a new skill. 

Stephanie is a dedicated student at Lewis-Clark State College, pursuing her bachelor's degree with a focus on empowering individuals through meaningful employment. Starting her college journey later in life has been a transformative experience, leading her to aspire for a master’s degree at Boise State University.

As a job coach and developer for individuals with disabilities, Stephanie is passionate about helping others identify and leverage their strengths to achieve fulfilling careers. Her work within the community has been deeply rewarding, and she is committed to making a positive impact.

Stephanie is also focused on becoming trauma-informed, aiming to integrate trauma-informed therapy into her practice. Her personal experiences with trauma have shaped her understanding of its effects on individuals' lives, driving her desire to support others in their healing journeys.

Stephanie enjoys spending quality moments with her children and family in her free time. She finds joy in camping and nature, with a particular fondness for butterflies and hearts. She looks forward to giving back to the community that has provided her with so much.

Jaki's Bio coming soon! 

Going back to school in my 40s with 4 children at home has been a difficult and beautiful challenge. I’ve stretched my mind in ways I’ve never thought possible, but I can say with great confidence that I needed every single one of my life experiences, the good and the bad, to find my passion in social work. Add in every single Brené Brown book and podcast created and it was no question that this was what I needed to do. 

I’ve worked with the Children’s Village (now Canopy Village) as a board member for 6 years, the Coeur d’Alene School District as a volunteer and Parent Advisory Committee member, and was a former bilingual education teacher. 

I’m a 5th generation North Idahoan and love spending time at Priest Lake, traveling with my husband and children, attending all the concerts I can (HUGE Brandi Carlile fan!), gardening in my backyard, and following my kids to all their sporting events. 

As a social work student, witnessing your story and your vulnerability will always be a gift I hold sacred and I consider it an honored privilege to work with you.