Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are traumatic events that occur during a child’s development between the ages of zero to 17 years (Centers for Disease Control [CDC], 2023). Examples of ACEs include trauma such as the separation or divorce of parents, neglect, physical, verbal, or sexual abuse, witnessing intimate partner violence within the home, witnessing community violence, experiencing the death of a family member, suicidal ideation and self-harm within the family, and/or experiencing substance use disorder within the home. Adverse childhood experiences are correlated with physical and mental health outcomes such as depression, anxiety, obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and cancer. One in six adults have experienced four or more ACEs, and treatment costs $748 billion annually (CDC, 2023). We must do more, and we must work and learn together.My journey to increase my understanding of ACEs began 13 years ago. I first worked within the public school system supporting children experiencing maladaptive and violent behaviors stemming from moderate to severe autism. I taught medically fragile babies and toddlers in all areas of development while offering psychoeducation and hope to their caregivers. I have worked with transitional adult women who left the commercial sex trade industry after being trafficked. I facilitated group sessions for men and women mandated by the Department of Probation to participate in a 52-week domestic violence program for batterers. I traveled to Kenya twice to work with children and families suffering from extreme poverty and illness, many of whom are orphaned. In recent years, I have worked in student support in higher education, and I have worked with children and young adults who are within the foster care system and/or are on probation. Field work within the community has proven to be an invaluable extension of my education.As an adult learner I poured my efforts and heart into my undergraduate and graduate studies. I graduated from the University of La Verne with honors, and I earned a 3.8 grade point average in my master's program at Pepperdine University. I am a life member of the Psi Chi International Honor Society in Psychology.It is my life work to help people find life on the other side of crisis by applying all that I have gained as I increase my expertise in working with children and families suffering from the effects of ACEs.