I am a Public Health Nurse. I have found my guiding light and passions in supporting children with special needs and their families. I have always loved taking care of others and providing education for them to make the best decision for their needs. I wanted to help more people than I was able to reach working in a typical job. With a lot of support from others we have been able to start Spark 2 Hope a non-profit center for children with special needs and their families!
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
I am a proud mother to 4 children Brett 21, Alexia 19, Caiden 10 and Daxton 7. A wife to my wonderful husband Robert who is a veteran. My mother lives with us as she has MS as she was unable to live alone. I have great in laws who have helped greatly with getting Spark 2 Hope center up and going Bob, Kay and Alison!
Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
Cambo Flare! It is so yummy and perfect portion sizes.
Q: Please tell us about your current, past or future career plan. What do you/did you love most about it?
I have so many aspirations for the non-profit to help bridge gaps in services to better support children and people with variety of disabilities. I want to have a place that we can grow and have an adaptive swimming pool and splash pad, to have a respite home specifically for children, and some day supportive housing complex for adults who need some supports to be able to live as independently as possible. With the support of the wonderful communities in Sherburne County everyone can help this under served population!
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
I have lived in Big Lake for a total of 13 years. I moved here from Minneapolis. I then moved with my husband to North Dakota when he enlisted in the Air Force. When he was honably discharged from services we moved back to Big Lake and have continued to enjoy the community.
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community?
Hands down Kenya Letourneau! She is so talented in everything she does. She is an artist, self taught guitarist, helps her husband with landscaping projects, grows such a wonderful garden, she is such a wonderful mom, and so many other talents!
Q: Do you have any pets? If so, what are they and what are their names?
We have a dog -Nikita, 4 cats – Batman, Spider-Man, Midas and TinkerBell. Last but not least 7 chickens- Moony, Donut, Sugar, Vanilla, Chocolate, Opal and Rose
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV Shows?
I like the Marvel movies, the TV series Flash, and Super Girl, and watching documentaries.
Q: What is your favorite holiday? Favorite season?
Thanksgiving! I love hosting for the holiday and spending quality time with my family!
Q: What advice would you give to people living in Big Lake?
Little acts of kindness mean a lot! Help out in the community, there are so many ways you can help grow the wonderful community we live in.
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
Hopefully some day I can go on a vacation with my family to Hawaii. I would love to visit Pearl Harbor memorial as my grandfather was in the Navy during the attack.
Q: What is your favorite current or former business in our community?
Hmm can I have more than one! I really love Northstar Technology, MN wholesalers, and Minnco credit union!
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
I enjoy the Cub Scouts and being involved with pack 93! We do so many fun activities with the kids and teach them skills along the way. I have met so many awesome families!
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
I want to continue to build resources and non-profit programs for children with special needs, to help bridge the gap in services! It is so important for the children and parents to have support and guidance so that children can reach their best sense of self and reach their goals in live.
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
That’s a hard one. I have a unicorn costume that I will be wearing at Spark 2 Hope events! I like to try to be artistic. I like to find peices to try to restore or repurpose.
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
Children and families I meet along my journey, and the staff at Spark 2 Hope!
Q: Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of Big Lake?
Small town feel, supportive community in so many ways, and the lake
