Served as an artillery crewmember (13B) in the US Army as well as cross-trained as a combat medic (91W) during my term of service. I also received additional education in field recon and personnel management experience while working directly with the headquarters battalion in my final year of service.Attended Chippewa Valley Technical College (CVTC) Liberal Arts/college transfer program from 2011-2013 then continued on to the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire (UWEC) where I studied geology and ancient studies.I served 2 years in AmeriCorps as Community Health Liaison for the Alliance for Substance Abuse Prevention and the Eau Claire City-County Health Department. (1st year was through the Marshfield Clinic Health Systems community coordinator program, 2nd year was through the Wisconin HealthCorps program).I worked with Vivent Health as a Prevention Specialist out of Eau Claire, WI. It was my responsibility to provide anonymous and confidential counseling and testing with high-risk individuals for HIV, Hepatitis C, syphilis, and other sexually transmitted infections. I also provided prevention education services, needle exchange, and outreach to individuals engaging in high risk behaviors, as well as training groups and individuals in the use of Naloxone (Narcan).I was the community coordinator for the Wisconsin Milkweed Alliance (WIMA), a non-profit peer run organization based out of Menomonie, Wisconsin for two years. In this capacity I continued educating others about harm reduction, substance use prevention, overdose prevention and provide outreach and administrative support.Provided mobile response services with Northwest Connections in Dunn County, WI as a mobile crisis responder (first responder). Mobile Crisis Workers are dispatched to provide an on-site risk assessment when a face to face assessment is deemed most appropriate.I am now the peer support specialist with Eau Claire County Human Services (Crisis Services, Comprehensive Community Services and Community Recovery Services) . In this role I assist individuals in identifying for themselves meaningful health and wellness-related goals and walking with them as they go through the process of reaching those goals. I also advocate and provide community education for peer support while collaborating with community partners and members. Advocacy, resource knowledge, connection, and bringing my own lived experiences and knowledge while mindful of the same in others are essential skills in my role.