Felicia Boone

I attribute my success to having a genuine passion for helping others. That's really the key for me. I'm a natural nurturer, and I have to be in help mode, especially working with our students and families. Organization and being detail-oriented have been critical because there's so much paperwork and coordination involved in what I do. I've also had to develop strong networking skills to gain business partners and create opportunities for our students. Having stamina is important too, because we don't just sit back and let the kids do the work - we're actually out there in the field with them at work sites, doing care packages, standing and working alongside them. You have to have drive and ambition, and you can't let anyone dim your light. There have been times where people wanted my position and tried to keep my light from shining, but I've had to keep pushing forward. Most importantly, you have to understand the students' family situations and circumstances, because when they leave school, we're a safe space for our kids, and many of them face very challenging conditions at home. I've seen a lot and heard a lot, and you try to help even though sometimes it's hard. You have to have a thick skin because it pulls on your heartstrings a lot. But having great people in my life who helped me stay focused, and maintaining that passion for the children and helping others, has been what's kept me going for 25 years.

The best career advice I’ve ever received is the importance of building strong community relationships, working collaboratively, and remaining open to learning from others who are equally committed to supporting students and families. I’ve found that success in this field is not achieved in isolation, but through shared purpose, meaningful partnerships, and a willingness to listen, grow, and learn from those around me.

The advice I would give to anyone starting off in this field - and I'll have to do this soon because I'm retiring next year - is that you have to have a passion to want to help others. That's the key. Not just that they're children or young adults, but you have to have a genuine passion to want to help, because that's what the bulk of the job is. You're always in the help mode, almost nurturing these children. You have to be organized and detail-oriented. You have to have a personality that allows you to network and gain business partners, so you need to learn those skills. You have to have stamina, because when we go to these work sites, we actually work with the kids. We stand, we do the care packages, and we're out there in the field with them. I don't just sit there and let them do the job. You have to have drive and ambition, and don't let anyone dim your light. There have been times where a lot of people wanted my position, and there were times where people tried to not have my light shine. So you have to keep that in mind - that's just the workplace environment. You also have to understand the families and their situations and circumstances, because sometimes when the kids leave school, we're a safe space for them, and when they go home they face conditions that are very challenging. I've seen a lot, I've heard a lot with the kids, and you try to help, though sometimes it's hard. You have to have a thick skin to work in this field because it pulls on your heartstrings a lot. But above all, you have to have a passion for the children and to help others.

One of the biggest challenges in my field is helping students and families navigate complex and often difficult life circumstances while ensuring that young people are still able to successfully transition into adulthood, employment, and independent living. Many of the students I work with face academic, social, or personal barriers that require not only structured support, but also patience, advocacy, and consistent encouragement.
At the same time, I see tremendous opportunity in expanding community partnerships, strengthening advocacy efforts, and developing more accessible employment and transition programs. When schools, families, agencies, and employers work together, we are able to create meaningful pathways that empower students—especially those with disabilities or from underserved backgrounds—to build confidence, gain real-world experience, and achieve long-term success beyond the classroom.

The values most important to me are having a genuine passion for helping others and being a natural nurturer. Service is central to who I am - I volunteer in the community making hygiene care packages for the needy about three times a year, and I've worked at soup kitchens since 2009. This volunteer work became even more meaningful after my husband passed away from COVID in 2020, and now I do it in honor of him. Faith is also very important to me - I like to read the Bible and go to church. I also value journaling as a way to process my experiences, and I'm actually in the process of publishing a healing journal. In my work, I believe strongly in advocacy for students and families, understanding their challenging circumstances, and being a safe space for the young people I serve. I value perseverance and not letting anyone dim your light, even when others may try to hold you back. Compassion is essential because working with students with disabilities and difficult home situations pulls on your heartstrings, but that's what drives me to keep helping them succeed and prepare for life after high school.