My first job in human services was as a Recreational Therapy Aide in a county-run outpatient mental health clinic in New York State when I was 21 years old.  Since that time I have worked in various capacities in the mental health, substance use disorder, and youth advocacy fields in the nonprofit sector.  In 2017, I left my position as a Director at the nonprofit organization I was with to start my own nonprofit, Individuals Making Positive Advancements in their Communities Together, Inc. (IMPACT!, Inc.).  When I started IMPACT!, Inc. it was just me and a group of volunteers and friends in my community who wanted to improve living conditions in our city, Newburgh, NY.  So I know what it means to "wear many hats".  I had helped write a variety of grants in my career in the nonprofit sector prior to starting IMPACT!, Inc. but as I built IMPACT!, Inc. from the ground up, I had to write many grants by myself to build our infrastructure and fund the various projects we wanted to pursue.  It was at that time that I undewent formal training as a grant-writer.  Today, my career has led in other directions but I still have a passion for helping people and putting some good back into the world.  One of the ways I do that is by helping other mission-driven organizations in their work.  It still amazes and inspires me that I am able to touch people's lives in ways I would have never imagined.  By working as a grant-writer, I am able to help organizations whose missions differ from my own areas of expertise and work experience.  If an organization works with cancer survivors, for example, I love that I am able to touch those people's lives and make a difference for them even though I don't know much about working on the front lines of cancer treatment.  I love to write and I value making a difference in this world instead of just chasing the next buck.  Grant-writing has proven to satisfy both of those pursuits for me and today, it is how I give back while still earning a living.  Having 26 years of experience working in the nonprofit sector has enabled me to understand the uniqe challenges that nonprofit organizations face.  They are expected to do more with less and often, that is just not realistic.  That is why I offer special rates for nonprofit organizations and religious institutions.  You have a passion for helping people in some way, and so do I.  Today, I express that passion by helping your bottom line as a grant-writer, clearing one more to-do off of your list, and getting you the funding you need to accomplish the critical work you do!