Her Story
About Tanda
I started out late with college as a single mom raising my kids while working as a store manager at Burger King and as a nurse aide in the ER. After getting my associate's degree and then bachelor's degree I moved into the mental health field working for DCF Department of Child Services. Now my full-time focus is building Sharon's Hope a nonprofit halfway house for young men exiting Pendleton Correctional Facility. My goal is to give them skills and connect them to community resources so they don't end up homeless or back in the system. I fund it partly through my crocheting business Loopy Bat where profits go directly to the nonprofit after covering supplies.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Tanda
01What do you attribute your success to?
My mom's love has kept me going along with the love of my children and the love shown by the young men I'm helping who demonstrate their appreciation every day by taking initiative around the house without being asked.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
My best friend told me sometimes you just gotta laugh because if you don't you're gonna lose it. So when I feel overwhelmed I step away and think of things to make me laugh.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
If you can think it you can do it. There's nothing that's impossible it might be unlikely but it's not impossible and you can do it.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge right now is learning how to establish the nonprofit legally as we're still in that process and finding the time to really get to know the residents personally.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Respect for one another and yourself is big along with being honest because the only person you're really hurting if you're not honest is yourself. Also cleaning up after yourself because many hands make light work and it's about taking responsibility.
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