By Senior Clinician, Ashinna Cole, LPC
I once heard a young woman share during a session that her mother was her very first bully.
First person to challenge her sense of self worth and diminish her self esteem fully.
These unsung narratives from around the world have to be told. We carry the pain-stained banners for social and emotional deficits, mental illness, injustice, mistreatment, lack of support, miseducation, dysfunction, toxicity, pain, and an insurmountable magnitude of heaviness that continues to spill over into our communities across generations.
Our response to that is light.
Our response to that, is extending a hand in partnership to forge healing relationships with those willing to begin or continue the journey.
Allison Jarvis was born outside of Charleston, SC, but grew up in Norfolk, VA and has had life adventures in 6 different states. Her own life experiences, and barely overcoming a decade long uphill battle with substances led her into the work that she does. “I wanted to be the person I needed when I was an adolescent who was self medicating unaddressed trauma. I needed to make things right and find peace for myself, and to help others find theirs too – this work does that for me”. Allison is a Bacon Street light, and because she is, WE ARE.
Whitney Lawton was born in North Carolina, and chose the mental health field because of her passion for teaching conflict resolution and coping skills to children who have been abused, bullied, and have low self-esteem. Whitney is a Bacon Street light, and because she is, WE ARE.
Kim Dellinger grew up in Prescott, Arizona and lived in Vermont for 10 years before settling in Virginia. Her inspiration for working in mental and behavioral health is connected to her desire for her children to have a better world to live in. “And if I can do it via helping people have better access to mental health services, everyone wins”. Kim is a Bacon Street light, and because she is, WE ARE.
Dr. Sharon B. Hopkins hails from Hampton Virginia. “I believe that counseling was in my blood from a young age, and as time went on I always felt like people “felt” they could trust to tell me things”. Her understanding of the sufferings that takes place in the lives of everyday people, combined with her own life experiences taught her that the world we live in can be challenging, and people need a helping hand. Dr. Hopkins is a Bacon Street light, and because she is, WE ARE.
Nina Jones is from Chicago by way of California. Her desire to help people start a path to mental wellness brought her all the way to Bacon Street. She is firm in her commitment to helping our future generations access and experience mental wellness. Nina is a Bacon Street light, and because she is, WE ARE.
Meghan McNeill comes from the Adirondack Mountains of northern New York. Her choice to work in the behavioral health field is fueled by a passion to make meaningful contributions in supporting students with learning differences, ADHD, anxiety, and depression. She has a specific skill set in focusing on youth development to foster self-acceptance, self-awareness, and improved self-esteem which are all desperately needed. Her leadership role within the educational setting has made her acutely aware of how under-supported many students and their families can be. “As an educator with over 15 years of professional experience, I was especially interested in Bacon Street’s intention to promote resilient youth and young adults with evidence-based behavioral health and substance use services. Meghan is a Bacon Street light, and because she is, WE ARE.
Brett Bracy hails from Williamsburg, Virginia. He actually switched from a career in the music industry to the mental health field to help address the need for mental health services in corporate America, particularly within the entertainment industry. “I chose Bacon Street because I remembered the services they provided from growing up in Williamsburg — it seemed like the perfect opportunity to pay it forward to the community where I was raised.” Brett is a Bacon street light, and because he is, WE ARE.
Dr. Megan Franco was born and raised in Virginia Beach, VA. “I got into this field to help bridge the gaps in client services, while making connections that provide individuals with a holistic experience”. Dr. Megan is at BSYFS because she wanted to make a difference in people’s lives. Dr. Megan is a Bacon Street light, and because she is, WE ARE.
Lauren Tatro is from Denver, Colorado. She chose to work in the behavioral health field because she’s always been drawn toward helping others, and is determined to promote the importance of mental health awareness. Her heart for service through volunteering and other community centered projects led her to connect with people from all different walks of life. Lauren is a Bacon Street light, and because she is, WE ARE.
Brittni Petersen is originally from New Jersey. “I’ve always had a passion for helping people with needs that seemed “different” and making sure those people didn’t feel different. Her commitment to creating a safe space for people to begin unpacking some of their burdens makes her quite an asset. Brittni is a Bacon Street light, and because she is, WE ARE.
Destiny M. Carter grew up in Lancaster. VA. She chose Bacon Street because she was exposed to substance abuse at an early age by a family member and made it a mission to help other children and young adults who experienced the same thing. She wanted them to know that they are not alone and that Bacon Street is here to be an outlet for them where they can openly discuss what they are going through and ultimately heal. She has seen Bacon Street save lives and she wants to continue to be a part of that process in any way she can. Destiny is a Bacon Street light, and because she is, WE ARE
Crystal Booker is a Gloucester native. “I chose this field because I know what it feels like as a parent to fear for my child being consumed by negative thoughts. I wanted to help families overcome the fear that comes with those negative thoughts because I know what it feels like to be stuck in that place feeling helpless. I chose Bacon Street because I wanted to change the perception of getting help because sometimes it’s a lifeline, and I’m incredibly grateful for the lifeline my family was given Crystal is a Bacon Street light, and because she is, WE ARE.
Hannah Fleming grew up in Gloucester, VA. She chose to work in this field because of her desire to help others. She recognized a need and saw that the substance use population was significantly under served. In addition to this, there is a stigma linked to addiction that prevents many people who need support the most from accessing it. Hannah wanted to be an agent for change who could meet people where they are and offer just enough hope to encourage a continuum of change. Hannah is a Bacon Street light, and because she is, WE ARE.
Ashinna Cole Westmoreland is originally from Hartford Connecticut. She chose Bacon Street after seeing how unique and dynamic the team of people keeping the agency propelling forward are. At a very early age she came to understand that adversity is overcome when we are willing to face our past, immerse ourselves in our present, and look ahead toward our future. We cannot do this alone. “People helped me along the way. I am determined to do the same for others”. Ashinna is a Bacon Street light, and because she is, WE ARE.
Rhiannon Perkins is from Gloucester, Virginia. Because she’s seen it first hand with her own loved ones, working in prevention services is very personal to her. She wanted to be a part of helping to be a voice for under-served communities. “Closing the gaps when people have no one to turn to is what brought me to Bacon Street. I am proud to say I work with this compassionate, driven, intelligent team that is working together to help improve the lives of others and break stigmas. Rhiannon is a Bacon Street light, and because she is, WE ARE.
Brooke Wilkinson was born and raised in Virginia Beach, Virginia. She made a commitment to working in behavioral health because of her belief in supporting individuals and their families to create stronger and healthier communities. “I identify closely with Bacon Street’s value of compassion, and love the fantastic staff who care so deeply for their clients and their families.” Brooke is a Bacon Street light, and because she is, WE ARE.
Samantha Bonner is from Burke, Virginia. “I felt drawn to the behavioral health field because prior to getting my first masters in forensic & legal psychology I worked at a mental health institute, and felt that not enough was being done to help clients succeed in the community”. She chose Bacon Street because of her passion for working with adolescents and young adults! Samantha is a Bacon Street light, and because she is, WE ARE.
Around the World at Bacon Street, WE ARE making a difference. There is an African philosophy known as “Ubuntu”, a concept in which one’s sense of self is shaped by relationships and connections with other people. It is a way of living and thinking that begins and ends with the premise that “I am because WE ARE, and because WE ARE, therefore I am.” WE are here to do the work. We ARE here to learn and grow. WE ARE here because we care. WE ARE here to be agents for change. WE ARE sojourning ahead into the future with light, creativity, dedication, and unyielding passion for the people we serve.