I am a proud graduate of Alden High School, Class of 1977. After a brief time away, I returned to Alden in 2002 to raise my family in my childhood home alongside my husband. Together, we raised our three children in the community we love.
My professional journey began in banking, where I worked for 25 years—until life took an unexpected turn. My son, Christopher, an Alden High School graduate from the Class of 2008 and a founding member of our initiative, was diagnosed with substance use disorder. His struggle changed my perspective and my career path. I left the banking industry to work in healthcare, joining Horizon Health Services as a Parent & Family Support Coordinator.
What I learned about substance use disorder (SUD) reshaped my understanding of addiction. It also fueled my passion to make a difference, leading to the creation of the Alden Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition in 2013, where I serve as Program Director and founding member. Our coalition was born out of a pressing need—to educate Alden’s youth and residents about the rising prescription drug epidemic and the broader challenges of substance misuse.
Over the years, our mission has evolved to address new and emerging trends in addiction. Today, I take immense pride in our coalition’s impact. We have built one of the strongest youth-led prevention programs in Western New York, with over 60 youth ambassadors. These young leaders are not only educating their peers about the risks of substance use but also shaping the future of our community as advocates for positive change.