Carmen is an organized, determined and consistent individual. She divides her time between studying to become an accountant and her job at the National Resource Center for Youth Services. At NRCYS, Carmen works as an Education Specialist responsible for developing and distributing educational information and assisting young people in their ETV application process. Carmen is not only respected, she is seen as a valued member of the team. Carmen also works as a Volunteer Income Tax Assistant (VITA) for Northeastern State University preparing income tax returns for low-income clients. She also actively participates in Encouragement Now Ministries where she helps the elderly and those who are shut-in. Previously, Carmen has been active in the Oklahoma Teen Conference where she sat on the planning committee and facilitated youth panels. The experience led to facilitating financial aid workshops and, most recently, Carmen’s first webinar. With such a balanced lifestyle, one may be surprised to learn of Carmen’s past. In her youth, Carmen spent 6 years within the foster care system. She experienced 5 placements, including 2 shelters and 3 non-relative kinships. But do to her resilience and drive, Carmen has made the numbers work in her favor.
