Dreams Come True
Hello everybody! My name is Kelsey and I live in Austin, Texas and I just wanted to tell you guys a little bit about myself and how I’m involved in SheHopes. I’m 24 and have my bachelor’s degree in psychology, am certified in mental health first aid, and am aiming towards a master’s degree in counseling. I found out about SheHopes through Ginger, the founder. Ginger is soon-to-be my sister-in-law! She is married to Joe whose younger brother Noah is my fiancé.
It has been a dream in my heart ever since I was a little girl to go to Africa with a nonprofit, and try to help people all around the world. After hearing about the amazing work SheHopes was doing, I was entranced and knew I had to be a part of this amazing movement. Ginger told me about the great need the girls and women SheHopes works with had for counseling due to many of the women and girls experiencing traumas of one form or another. Counseling has always been my passion, so when Ginger asked me if I would be willing to help her with the emotional needs of the SheHopes women, I was ecstatic.
Ginger and I just came back from Kenya where I accompanied her to learn about the needs, share my story, and help teach self-defense and empowerment, so that I could work on developing a plan for a possible counseling program. During my visit to Kenya I fell in love with the people, especially the amazing women and girls that I was privileged to meet and talk to. Though my heart broke hearing many of the stories shared, and I knew I would not come back the same person who left, I have hope things will get better, that all of us can help our sisters near and far.
And that’s what SheHopes is all about, spreading hope, love, light and empowerment to women all over the globe. Right now myself, the amazing people at SheHopes, those on the ground in Kenya and India, and even here at home are working on how to help these women, be it through counseling and support, job training, or meeting basic needs. I am so proud to be a part of the SheHopes team!
