Whitney is a recent St. Bonaventure University graduate who spent 5 years in New York’s foster care system. Her experience in care has shaped her into a determined and accomplished young lady, capable of overcoming any challenge set before her. Throughout her high school and college years, Whitney was active in a variety of youth support and mentoring programs which include: New York’s Youth in Progress (YIP) program, Warming House(the nation’s oldest studentrun soup kitchen), and New Directions Youth & Family Services of Randolph, NY. Whitney’s employment history is further testimony to her devotion to special youth populations, specifically, those experiencing a level of Autism or other emotional/behavioral disorders. She spent one year working with Counseling Services of Addison County, Vermont, where she used the principals of Applied Behavior Analysis to serve and teach students with Autism and other emotional/behavioral disorders in a classroom setting. For the past few months, Whitney has started a new adventure with Aurora Day School in Arizona where she is a para-educator for students in need of behavioral management. Ultimately, she will expand her resumé to include a master’s degree in Education so that she can begin developing curriculum which utilizes Applied Behavioral Analysis, and continue her already inspiring work to help youth struggling with mental health concerns.
