summa cum laude and earning recognition in multiple honor societies – an achievement that reflects my deep commitment to education and personal growth.2. Why did you want to become a Pineal station host?
I’ve always found joy in learning, creating, and problem-solving – whether it’s building with my hands, refining ideas, or supporting those around me. My life is shaped by resilience, resourcefulness, and a deep appreciation for shared knowledge, and I believe that integration and cooperation strengthen connections and bring purpose to everyday life. Whether I’m canning a harvest, restoring furniture, or organizing meals for my son’s marching band, I love making life more abundant for others. Small, intentional efforts – like growing food or exchanging resources – can lead to meaningful change. With my psychology background and my own personal experiences with mental health, Pineal Gardens immediately caught my attention, and I felt called to be part of this movement.
I believe in the power of community-driven solutions to support both physical and emotional well-being. Just as the pineal gland helps regulate balance in the body, my trade station serves as a space where people can find stability, nourishment, and connection. Food insecurity isn’t just about access to meals – it’s about the stress and uncertainty that come with scarcity. By creating a space where people can exchange resources freely, I hope to ease that burden and contribute to a healthier, more connected community.
3. Why do you think it’s important for communities to build strong relationships?
Strong relationships within a community create trust, resilience, and a sense of shared purpose. When people feel connected to one another, they’re more likely to support, uplift, and exchange resources freely, fostering an environment where challenges can be met with collective solutions.
Through my experience with my trade station, volunteering, and advocacy, I’ve seen firsthand how small gestures – offering homegrown produce, sharing skills, or simply having conversations – can build lasting relationships. These connections create stability, reduce stress, and remind us that we don’t have to navigate hardships alone. Community-building isn’t just about resources; it’s about creating spaces of encouragement, accessibility, and belonging, where people can give and receive without hesitation. A thriving community is one where people know their contributions matter, no matter how big or small.
4. How has nature/gardening changed your life for the better?
Gardening has taught me patience, care, and the beauty of growth. Watching a tiny seed grow into something thriving reminds me of how nurturing both the land and our relationships leads to meaningful growth. Even before my garden has fully produced food, the process has deepened my appreciation for sustainability and the anticipation of abundance, showing me that care and consistency make all the difference and even the smallest acts of care can blossom into something much greater.
5. What do you wish to accomplish by hosting in your community?
Through my trade station, I hope to create a space where
access, sustainability, and connection come together to support those in my community. My goal is to help reduce food insecurity by ensuring people have local access to fresh produce and resources, but beyond that, I want this to be a place that fosters relationships, knowledge-sharing, and mutual support. Hosting in my community gives me the opportunity to encourage resourcefulness, collaboration, and creative problem-solving – values that have shaped my own journey. Whether it’s through food exchange, sharing skills, or simply bringing people together, I hope to strengthen the sense of abundance and possibility within our neighborhood.
Above all, I want people to feel that help is always available, that their contributions – big or small – matter, and that they are part of something greater than themselves. My trade station is more than just a place for exchanging goods; it’s a growing, evolving effort toward building a stronger, more connected community.
Our mission with Pineal trade stations is to grow healthier and more sustainable communities by growing together.
We are the change!
