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Health & Fitness

Social Worker for youth who knows sign language

Graduated with my Masters in Social Work from the University of Northern Iowa & now doing counseling of individuals and families (Deaf and hearing) at Southside Christian Counseling Center

I moved to Tinley Park in June to start my job at Southside Christian Counseling Center in Tinley Park. I graduated with my Masters in Social Work from the University of Northern Iowa. My background includes: youth leader at a church, summer camp counselor, program director at University of Northern Iowa Lutheran Student Center, after-school program staff, and internships at a homeless shelter, transitional housing program, emergency service office, and three domestic violence prevention programs.

My real passion, though, is American Sign Language and Deaf Culture. I started my first sign language class January 2010 and my sign language/deaf culture experience has grown from there. This led to my research on "Deaf and Hard of Hearing Victims of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault" during grad school. If anyone knows more about the Deaf Community in the south suburbs than I do, please let me know what we have for Deaf Community. I know there is a Deaf worship service at St Julie's Catholic Church in Tinley Park two times/ month and I went to that this past Sunday, but I am still looking for more.

Also, if there is anyone who we could benefit from networking with each other regarding my counseling for individuals (especially youth) and families feel free to contact me. I'm on LinkedIn and Twitter and I started Southside Christian Counseling Center's Facebook page. I am the person in charge of the online part of SCCC along with my boss's son, who set up our website. It makes sense that I do the technology part as the youngest staff member who has three really good college friends with computer science majors (two of whom I lived with during college) who I can call with any computer issues.

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Let me know if you want to do some networking. I can help hearing people learn how to relate to deaf people and only God knows how you can benefit me :)

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