This is home

It feels incredible to know that in just a few months, I will be home.

As I write this, I'm overlooking the beautiful shore of Lake Superior and feel immediately the sense of calm and sure-ness I've always felt looking at the glistening cold water. It was as if a piece of me had been sleeping all those years away, and I'm awake again with the knowing this is where I'm meant to be.

Of course, it's not just the beauty of this place that I've missed. It's the people who truly make Marquette home. The sense of community, the sense that we’re all in this together, a resolve we all share to make it through and be there for each other. (Maybe it's the long winters - a foot of snow on May first was on-brand)

That said, I also know that there is work to be done. Over the last few years, I've had the honor of working with families as they fight hard to heal through the unimaginable. I have seen firsthand the devastating effects that child abuse, human trafficking, violence, and neglect can have on families. Unfortunately, Marquette County is not immune to this trauma that permeates every community. In fact, the rate of child abuse and neglect in our county is higher than the state of Michigan average.

That's why I've made it my mission to protect children across Marquette County from abuse and neglect. To do that, I am opening the Northern Lights Child Advocacy Center. This center will provide a safe and supportive environment for children who have experienced abuse or neglect. We will offer a range of services including forensic interviews, survivor advocacy, MDT coordination, case review, court assistance, support groups, and more.

The goal of the Northern Lights Child Advocacy Center is to ensure that every child in Marquette County has access to the support and resources they need to heal and thrive. We believe that every child deserves a safe and loving home, and we will do everything in our power to make that a reality. Opening the Northern Lights Child Advocacy Center is a big undertaking. I am confident that with the support of the community we can make it a success. Marquette County is a special place, and I am proud to call it my home. I am honored to be able to give back to this community by helping to protect its most vulnerable members.