Janay Abolo

I always knew that I was meant to speak life into women because I faced a lot of adversity growing up, and I still overcame, so I want to help people navigate those life difficulties. I experienced a lot of instability growing up, and I think that really speaks to my why. I'm a first-generation college graduate, and after having a child, I moved back home to be around my support system. I became a mental health specialist at New Path Child and Family Solutions, working in their residential program with kids in foster care or legal custody of the state who dealt with very traumatic experiences. When I was rejected for a promotion there, I knew that rejection is redirection, and I wasn't meant to be there anymore. I moved into teaching as a contracted substitute teacher at an elementary school for a year, and they really loved me anywhere that I worked. I was very strategic about where I wanted to work because I always knew I wanted to be in a nonprofit space. The timing was perfect when an opening came up at the YWCA. I needed a year of teaching experience and trauma-informed care training from New Path, which positioned me to step into this role confidently and boldly. Now I get to teach students about healthy, unhealthy, and abusive relationships so they don't fall into the cycle of abuse. I meet with kids once a week over a 6-10 week period because we like to build relationships with the students so we can become another trusted adult for them.