05/29/2026
I was recently nominated for under Public Servant and Community Advocate, and it got me thinking. . .
I’ve been here for less than 2 years, and in many ways, still finding my place.
I arrived here navigating life on the other side of military service as a military spouse. And If I’m being honest, starting the type of work that belongs to the community while wrestling with my own sense of community has been a special kind of challenge. This kind of nonprofit is often built from a place of rootedness and military life is rootless by nature. And I’m constantly feeling like I’m out of time while not really knowing how much time I had to begin with.
But despite my own personal challenges, my commitment to serve this community remains the same. 💛
I may not have deep roots here, but through The Young Imprint, I have gotten to see what it means to meet people where they are, remove barriers to participation, and provide children with a space to create, express themselves freely, and simply be kids.
Through this work, I’ve also witnessed that creativity turned into real opportunity. Recently, the sale of artwork by an 8-year-old artist from Hinesville led her family to open a college savings account and start planning for her future.
That same commitment to children and families has also led me to serve as a CASA volunteer, a Girls on the Run coach at local schools, as well as other volunteer opportunities throughout the area. Each role has given me a different opportunity to advocate and support children and that is something I deeply value. 💛
So yep. It’s complicated.
Nevertheless, the work continues. 🎨✨🎓
P. S. You can also vote for The Young Imprint under nonprofit organization and youth organization. Thank you all for your continued support. Link in comments.