Background

Organization	C3 Educational Co-op
Professional Title	Director
Bio and Background	I am a busy wife and mom to 7 children ranging in age from 27 down to 12. My husband and I have been married for 29 years. I have been involved over the past 25 years homeschooling my children as well as teaching a variety of grades and subjects in various co-ops. I have worked with children and youth for more than 20 years as well. At this present time I am serving as the children’s director of Christ Community church in State College, PA as well as starting C3 Co-op this coming fall. It is my desire to raise up a generations of young people who impact the world around them for the Lord, where they are able to use their God-given gifts and talents to be a blessing to the world for good.
Why I am a Force for Health® Member...	I believe that Force for Health coincides with raising up generations to be world changers for Christ. Young people need to be aware of the world around them and the part they play in impacting it for good. They first need to be healthy physically, mentally, socially as well as spiritually in order to fulfill their God-given purposes in life.
How I use the Force for Health Network Tools	Force for Health will also be a benefit to me personally in improving my own health. I am a lead learner for my students and they need to see me learning right along with them.
My inspiration	I am inspired by people who are genuine, who want to know the Lord, and who live it for themselves. People who selflessly and genuinely love others the way Jesus loves. People of character and integrity.
Location	200 Ellis Place State College, PA 16801
What would you like people to know about your community?	We are a church that desires to love and be a blessing to the community around us in all aspects of life. We pray hard and we play hard. We are here to support, love, and encourage our community in any way we can. We are a family of believers who love Jesus and desire to make his love known to others.

My Citizenship Health Factors

Some of the factors that have been challenging for me have been...	I have a thyroid issue which makes it hard to lose weight and I have arthritis in my feet and walking only increases pain. I live in pain because I am alergic to motrin and ibuprofin.
It's important for me to be part of my community's health because...	God has called us to be love our neighbors and be a blessing to those around us. It is a part of what I believe God wants for His people.
Some of the strength of my community health factors are:	We have a lot of parks and places where people can relax and learn to play and destress and be active.
Some of the challenges in my community regarding certain health factors are:	Mental health issues in young people, more anxiety, more stress and more access to social media and video games has let to increased depression and isolation. There is a rise in suicides as well.
I believe I can help improve my community's health by...	By teaching young people about health and doing whatever I can to help raise up groups of young people to take charge of their health and to encourage them to use the gifts, talents and abilities God has given them to make a difference around them, believing in them and helping them to see that they have purpose and can make a difference themselves.

Advancing the DREAM

Advancing the DREAM - What it means to me	By getting involved with my community and by helping and teaching the next generation to see and love people the way Jesus would. Leading by example and teaching and training people to do the same.
My Action Pledge to Advance the DREAM?	To teach young people to look around them and do what they can to make a difference, especially through the IDEAS projects.

General Information