Amy earned a Bachelor of Social Work at the University of Northern Iowa before continuing her education at St. Ambrose University where she received her Master of Social Work. She says she felt the welcoming environment at Tanager Place from the moment she walked through the front doors.

“I felt the warmth and kindness of staff members I had the opportunity to interact with, and felt well connected to Tanager Place’s mission statement ‘to provide children and families with services that inspire, empower and heal.’”

Amy has lived in Cedar Rapids for most her of adult life and says she knows Tanager Place is well respected throughout the community.

“I believe it is important for every person to know their value, to be loved and cared for, and to know how to love and care for others. This can be accomplished in lots of ways, but most importantly by sitting with someone in their space, by hearing their dreams and wishes, their heartaches and heartbreaks, their worries and stresses, their successes and celebrations. Life is all of these things and every person, no matter how big or small, should be heard, should have the opportunity to be their authentic self, and should be celebrated.”