A Dove in the Shadows

Jennifer is a first-time author and a mental health advocate. She is a healthy, strong woman and a daughter, sister, wife, dog-mom, homeowner, artist, handbell ringer, consumer, advocate, and professional in the mental health field. She is dedicated to offering help and hope to those suffering from mental health challenges and finds joy in her family, friends, art, and God.Jennifer's journey from patient to professional began in 1993 as a patient seeking help with her own mental health struggles. After many years and some changes in the system, she was (and is) considered a consumer. A tumultuous journey involving a great deal of pain, lots of self-initiated hard work, and some key medical professionals started Jennifer's advocacy path. Beginning in 2010, she was an advocate for UPMC's Youth and Family Training Institute (YFTI) and worked on the Peer Support & Advocacy Network's (PSAN) Warmline from 2011-2013.A commitment to her own healing allowed Jennifer to become a certified peer specialist from 2013-2020. Jennifer was the first certified peer specialist to receive the UPMC Award for Commitment in Excellence and Service (ACES) in 2015.Jennifer spends her summers camping and picking out beach glass on the shores of Lake Erie. She has a passion for recycling and finding beauty in what others see as trash. She loves finding treasures at garage sales and her local Goodwill outlet.Jennifer believes sharing her story is empowering and hopes it can help others in their healing journey.She lives in Rostraver Township, Pa., with her husband Scott and her poodle, Petey.If you want to donate or learn more about programs that benefit consumers (like Jennifer) at UPMC Western Psychiatric Hospital and UPMC Western Behavioral Health, please inquire through the following: Website: https://www.upmc.com/locations/hospitals/western-psychiatric/about/giving