Mel Yourd is a counseling student at Palo Alto University and fulfilling a practicum placement at Community Health Awareness Center (CHAC). Previously, Mel was a direct caregiver at Pacific Autism Center for Education, and worked at SENG (Supporting Emotional Needs of the Gifted) as the Communications Manager from 2015 to 2018, after graduating from the University of Puget Sound with a Bachelor’s degree in English. A passionate writer and communicator, Mel is committed to activism, education, LGBTQ+ rights, and advocacy for people with special needs (both gifts and disabilities). Mel Yourd's pronouns are they/them/theirs.