President and Founder of Suitcases for New Beginnings.

I was a Special Ed Teacher’s Aid at Forsyth Elementary School in Forsyth, Mo.

I have an associate degree in Elementary Education and am certified in Wedding and Party Planning. I am currently a Taney County CASA Supervisor. I am the mother of three grown sons and the grandmother of five beautiful granddaughters.

I grew up in Muskogee, Oklahoma. I am the oldest of 6 children; my father was a physically and mentally abusive alcoholic and a child predator. When I was 13, My father kicked me out of the home. Because I told my mother the things he was doing to me, I lived on the streets until I was placed in a foster home.

I had loving foster parents and a place to call home. My Foster Dad gave me away When I got married, and they were there when all 3 of my boys were born.

I have dedicated myself to this project because I know how it feels to be placed in a foster home. Walking into a strange house with people you don’t know and carrying some personal items in a trash bag is one of the scariest things that could happen to a child. It also makes you feel unwanted, unloved, and thrown away like garbage.

I don’t want any child going into foster care to feel that way.