Brenda S. Email and Phone Number

Brenda participated in an internship trip abroad to Rwanda to learn about the impact of the 1994 genocide on the Nation and the recovery of the survivors. While in Rwanda, Brenda visited a school where sponsored children of survivors are being educated, a women's prison where some perpetrators of the genocide are incarcerated, many rural communities, a psychiatric hospital where perpetrators and survivors receive treatment for traumas associated with the genocide, as well as the Village of Reconciliation where perpetrators of the genocide and survivors live alongside of one another in reconciliation. Brenda also had the opportunity to talk one on one with survivors and learn about the challenges they are facing and how they are working to overcome them. Brenda hopes to return to Rwanda in the future to continue studying the culture and the recovery of the people as well as minister to their needs.

During Brenda's internship she completed twenty five hours of online training from the Clearinghouse on Supervised Visitation through Florida State University in addition to shadowing the staff in the Supervised Visitation department. Brenda also attended weekly Domestic Violence court hearings and had the opportunity to observe family court as well. By the end of the internship she was able to supervise a visit on her own as well as successfully monitor safe exchanges.

Brenda worked as a volunteer at the Alva Elementary School for over four years. She assisted teachers in their classrooms from kindergarten to third grade. She assisted in ordinary classroom activities as well as supported students in learning to read, write, and complete math equations. At times, Brenda conducted learning centers in which she taught history and science lessons to the students.

Brenda worked as Youth Leader at the Alva Church of God from September 2008-November 2011. During this time, Brenda completed necessary training and earned certification through the Royal Rangers program. She then went on to successfully implement the Royal Ranger program and curriculum for young boys ranging in age from 5-13 in her church. Brenda, specifically taught the Discovery Rangers program where she developed and taught lesson plans each week and organized various field trips, fundraisers, and outings for the children.

During the time period between 2001-2008, Brenda spent much of her time at home raising her children. However, during the time period between 2008-2011 Brenda was self-employed. During her self-employment, she and her husband bid on painting, cleaning, and repair jobs of various properties through Hometown Realty in Lehigh Acres, FL. When their bid on various jobs were accepted, they completed the tasks required to make the properties suitable for occupants or for sale.While spending time as a stay at home mom and being self-employed, Brenda built skills in handling crisis, verbal and written communication, multi-tasking, and time management.

After her high school graduation, Brenda held a full time job at Our Creations Florist as a floral designer for over a year. During this time, Brenda designed floral arrangements, completed secretarial tasks, and worked to maintain excellent customer service.Brenda was able to build skills in written and verbal communication as she interacted with many clients in assisting them to plan weddings or funerals.