Co-Director/DSP

I started working part-time with I/DD adults in October 2005. I mainly helped individuals develop better budgeting skills. Withing a very short period of time, I was working at least 40 hours a week, helping individuals develop or maintain the skills necessary to be independent. Some of the things I have done over the past 19+ years are help individuals find & keep safe housing, money management, healthy shopping/cooking, health & hygiene issues and medical needs, along with  having safety in the community, appropriate communication skills,  and navigating the legal system both as a victim along with those who made mistakes that put them into the legal system. What I really enjoyed though was all the fun things available in the Portland Metro area. Things like playing sports, going to sporting events, monster truck shows, camping, hiking, and about anything outdoors.

I also found myself working with individuals who had behavioral issues. This allowed me to develop & finetune skills needed to help individuals who were misunderstood and who felt like no one was listening to what their needs and wants were. Working with many different types of people helped me to become an active listener and truly empathize with individuals who were not “Just Like Me”. All these experiences have helped me become the person I am today.

In 2016, my best friend, Rex Goode and I joined together to build ARISE Mentors, LLP so that we can share our passion for advancing the quality of life for people with developmental disabilities with others. We look for people who want to be the highest quality direct support professionals possible. The work can be both challenging and rewarding, and those two things naturally go together. To do this work requires more than just being a nice person with a desire to serve. There are naturally ethics, boundaries, and the inevitable paperwork. We teach all these things so that our workers can provide the best possible support to our customers. Even though I am one of the Co-directors of ARISE Mentors, I still work one day a week in the field with one customer. I believe this is one of the best ways to appreciate the joys and challenges that happen while working with I/DD individuals.

In 2009, I received a bachelor’s degree in social work from Concordia University.  I have an associate’s degree in criminal justice from Portland Community College and graduate certificate from paralegal school.  I spent a majority of my “Pre-Social Work” career doing manual labor (Mainly construction/warehouse work). I have been a reserve police officer/sheriff deputy along with interning with an attorney who specialized in criminal law along with estate planning/probate law. I have a passionate love of The US Constitution, especially The Bill of Rights and making sure EVERYONE understands their rights under Oregon and Federal law.

My interests include the basking in the serenity of the beautiful Oregon Coast to the Cascade Mountains. I especially love the beautiful and AMAZING, Columbia Gorge. Besides golf in the summer and bowling in the winter, my real passion is woodworking. In my down time, if I’m not golfing somewhere or bowling at Milwaukie Bowl, I am attempting to complete one of many woodworking projects. My taste in movie genre is vast, but about anything covering history, especially the freedoms we have in this great country based on the sacrifices of the many men and women who served in the armed forces. I am not overly fond of cats but love all BIG dog breads, especially “Swissies” (Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs). Most of all, I love spending time with my family. My family is the most important part of my life.

Whether you are interested in working with ARISE Mentors as an employee or as one of the individuals we serve as an Agency, I look forward to meeting you.