Her Story
About Diane
I've been in the social services field for over 30 years and started my organization in 2016. My main area of strength is using evidence-based treatment methods in a fun, creative, and innovative way so it doesn't seem like treatment. I help veterans regain purpose after seeing all the horror they experienced, either in combat or peacetime, helping them refocus and understand that God still has purpose for their life since it's also a faith-based organization where I incorporate spirituality. I use techniques like art therapy, having veterans come together to do things like 3D echo maps using foam, pipe cleaners, and magic markers to create representations of themselves, how they see themselves, and three things that make them feel loved and supported. It's a fun way of understanding how they view themselves and identifying the networks they have and the gaps where they still need services. I've even published several adult coloring books on Amazon, including 'Color With Me, Healing for the Heart through Art,' which was the main one that jumped off all the others. My son, who is my vice president, and I collaborated on one called 'Foundational Scriptures Passed Down from Mama' where each page has something to uplift with an inspirational picture, thinking about your childhood and something your mom or dad said to you that you hold onto today to give you strength when things are rough.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Diane
01What do you attribute your success to?
My success was really unexpected and hard to deal with, because when I was growing up, I kind of really depended on my mom a lot. When my dad passed away and my mother passed away seven months later, I had a big slap in the face of now what are you gonna do. I was super depressed and really didn't even want to live, to be honest with you. God is who brought me back to life. I began going to the church where my mother used to attend, and when I got back there, they knew who I was because they said my mother was always praying and calling my name out in prayer before God. That was a major thing for me, and then just starting to focus on life and my purpose, realizing that time heals all wounds. Me being successful, I would say it was the grace of God, really. My big sister also helped me because when you are so used to leaning and depending on people and that person is gone, you look for another person to depend on. She said it hurt her to her heart, but she wouldn't allow me to handicap myself and depend on her. She forced me to stand on my own two feet, and that tough love in that way also was a good factor in helping me say okay, you gotta get it together.
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