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ABOUT JENNY
I grew up in suburban Philadelphia. My dad was college professor and my mom was an official of the national amateur radio “Ham Radio” organization. In 2000, I graduated from Guilford College in NC, earning my B.S. in Psychology with minors in Sociology/Anthropology and Biology. I worked for a non-profit helping connect at-risk girls with female mentors in Greensboro before starting graduate school at Radford University in Social Work. While working on my Masters, I interned at the United Way of Montgomery, Radford, & Floyd, Wythe County Social Services, and Family Service of Roanoke Valley. After receiving my MSW degree, I worked as an In-Home Clinician and a School Based Clinician (now called Therapeutic Day Treatment) at New River Valley Community Services. I became a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) during that time and used my expertise to work with students who were struggling at school due to mental health diagnoses. My time spent at Falling Branch Elementary in Montgomery County taught me the value of working together with teachers and staff to create education plans that meet children’s academic and emotional needs.
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After graduating from college, I met my wonderful husband Greg. Native of a “suburb” of Bluefield, VA, Greg got his Masters at Virginia Tech in Mathematics in 2006 and has worked at the Southwest Virginia Governor’s School teaching math ever since. We have two children, James and Evelyn, who attend Radford City Schools. After James was born, I became a stay at home mom. I helped start the MOMS Club of Christiansburg support group and joined the Blacksburg Junior Women’s Club, a philanthropic group serving our area. I co-chaired their “March of Ales” fundraiser’s live and silent auctions for three years, raising many thousands of dollars to “fill the gaps” for local charities and individuals in need.
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My passion for children and meeting their needs only grew as I became a mother. When my children started at McHarg, I volunteered my time as a PSA member and then became the PSA President. I spent my time as a Book Buddy, combed unruly hair and fixed collars at picture day, helped direct kids at field days, ran the Santa Store and organized the Santa Breakfast, taught kids crafts to sell at the Maker’s Faire, and so much more. The time I spent in Radford schools made it clear that my children’s classmates and friends needed more than they could afford. Having limited access to weekend food affected their school work and their ability to fulfill their potential. We can all agree that trying to learn on a Monday morning’s empty stomach is nearly impossible, let alone trying to behave and focus.
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In 2015, RCPS principals and guidance counselors reached out to the community to ask for help with meeting the needs of their students dealing with weekend food insecurity. My friends Jane Fisher, Daniela Brunner, Tory Leahy, and I all jumped on board to help. We connected with a small backpack program run by Radford University students. The need quickly grew larger than the students and their trusty advisors could sustain. In 2016, we started the Bobcat Backpacks program - a community based, charitable support system for all hungry Bobcats. We became a partner program with the Radford City Schools Partners for Excellence Foundation, made a corporate partnership with Food Lion in Radford, have community support from Radford City residents, and fostered a huge partnership with Radford University, which runs a campus wide food drive for us every year among other drives to meet our student’s needs.
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In short, who is Jenny? I am a volunteer, a fundraiser, and a community organizer. I have worked inside the schools both professionally and as a parent volunteer. I am there when I am needed. I hope that with your vote, I can lend my skills as a mental health professional and a champion for children and families in need to the Radford City School Board.
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Thank you for taking the time to read! Please feel free give me a follow on facebook and to contact me!
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