AWARD RECIPIENTS
The Full Circle Anti-Racism Committee is excited to grant our second WNC Racial Equity Mental Health Graduate Education Funds to Dianna Lester and Sandrine Ingabire. We are appreciative of everyone who donated to the fund this year and would like to share some information about our exceptional recipients.
Dianna Lester is a graduate student in the M.A.Ed. in School Counseling Program at Western Carolina University. Ms. Lester is also the proud mother of two sons and is working full time. After putting her dream of being a school counselor on hold to take care of her two sons, Ms. Lester is now in her second year of graduate school.
In her application, Ms. Lester stated, “The community needs more counselors/therapists, and it’s essential for everyone to have access and also to see others who look like them and can relate to them.” She elaborated on the need more diversity in the mental health field. She stated, “From generation to generation in African American communities, we were taught that what goes on in the house stays in the place. If you saw a therapist, you were considered crazy. Someone has to break the chain so the cycle doesn’t continue.
Ms. Lester shared in her application that she grew up in a traumatic environment that included drug use and violence such as drive by shootings. She lost her mother at age nine and indicated that her life fell apart that point. She shared, “It wasn’t until the second semester of my freshman year in high school that I got the support I needed. My school counselor was amazing; she listened to me, didn’t judge me, and supported me daily. I wouldn’t be where I am today if it weren't for her. My passion for school counseling stems from her and my boys. I want to be that counselor who shows up for all my students and supports them in any way I can, no matter what they bring to my office. Being accepted into the counseling program and being the only black African American female in most classes has opened a new chapter in my life. It doesn’t stop here; there are many more chapters to write in the book of my life, and mental health is a top priority in all the chapters.”
In her application, Ms. Lester stated, “The community needs more counselors/therapists, and it’s essential for everyone to have access and also to see others who look like them and can relate to them.” She elaborated on the need more diversity in the mental health field. She stated, “From generation to generation in African American communities, we were taught that what goes on in the house stays in the place. If you saw a therapist, you were considered crazy. Someone has to break the chain so the cycle doesn’t continue.
Ms. Lester shared in her application that she grew up in a traumatic environment that included drug use and violence such as drive by shootings. She lost her mother at age nine and indicated that her life fell apart that point. She shared, “It wasn’t until the second semester of my freshman year in high school that I got the support I needed. My school counselor was amazing; she listened to me, didn’t judge me, and supported me daily. I wouldn’t be where I am today if it weren't for her. My passion for school counseling stems from her and my boys. I want to be that counselor who shows up for all my students and supports them in any way I can, no matter what they bring to my office. Being accepted into the counseling program and being the only black African American female in most classes has opened a new chapter in my life. It doesn’t stop here; there are many more chapters to write in the book of my life, and mental health is a top priority in all the chapters.”
Sandrine Ingabire is going into her second year of graduate school in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program at Appalachian State University. She recently started her practicum and is excited about continuing her learning journey outside of class, under supervision. She has been involved in her campus NAMI Chapter, is passionate about mental health advocacy, and has received special recognition for being a leader in her community. Currently, she serves as a Resident director for one of the halls on her campus.
In her application for the WNC Racial Equity MH Graduate School Assistance Fund, Ms. Ingabire wrote the following:
“I am passionate about serving children and young adults in general, especially minorities. As a black woman, I am always shocked when I search for mental health providers in my area and can't find anyone less than an hour and a half away who is black. I’d like to provide more mental health services to minority and immigrant populations.” Ms. Ingabire speaks 5 foreign languages and stated, “I see my multilingual and overall communication skills as being vital to my work with clients from different backgrounds in the future.”
She is particularly interested in focusing on trauma and addiction issues as well as incorporating expressive arts in a way that honors and incorporates different cultural backgrounds.
In her application for the WNC Racial Equity MH Graduate School Assistance Fund, Ms. Ingabire wrote the following:
“I am passionate about serving children and young adults in general, especially minorities. As a black woman, I am always shocked when I search for mental health providers in my area and can't find anyone less than an hour and a half away who is black. I’d like to provide more mental health services to minority and immigrant populations.” Ms. Ingabire speaks 5 foreign languages and stated, “I see my multilingual and overall communication skills as being vital to my work with clients from different backgrounds in the future.”
She is particularly interested in focusing on trauma and addiction issues as well as incorporating expressive arts in a way that honors and incorporates different cultural backgrounds.
It is meaningful to the Full Circle Anti-Racist committee to provide support to Dianna Lester and Sandrine Ingabire as they move toward actualizing their dreams. We once again thank all of the individuals who made this fund possible with their generous donations, including but not limited to the following: Biltmore Psychological Services, Target, and CooperRiis.
Khabonina Beresford |
2022 Recipient
|
Ms. Beresford will earn her Master’s Degree in Social Work from Western Carolina University in May 2023. She will graduate with minors in Psychology, Sociology, and Women's Gender and Sexualities Studies. Ms. Beresford shared that she has been highly influenced by her South African roots as well as living in very different cultural environments in the United States. Ms. Beresford beautifully exemplifies a deep appreciation for serving her community as illustrated by these statements made on her application -
“In South Africa, we use the word ubuntu. It means, 'I am because we are.' My existence, my passion, and my knowledge are from communities. When I am striving to engage and hold space for healing in a community, I am living in my truth.”
Ms. Beresford hopes to one day create a community focused practice in Western North Carolina that provides holistic services to individuals and communities regarding spiritual health, mental health, and social justice healing. She also has a strong commitment to serving those with addiction issues and is in the process of earning her licensure as a Clinical Addictions Specialist and Clinical Social Worker. Ms. Beresford stated, “My dream is to help people living within the margins of society feel heard and seen.”
“In South Africa, we use the word ubuntu. It means, 'I am because we are.' My existence, my passion, and my knowledge are from communities. When I am striving to engage and hold space for healing in a community, I am living in my truth.”
Ms. Beresford hopes to one day create a community focused practice in Western North Carolina that provides holistic services to individuals and communities regarding spiritual health, mental health, and social justice healing. She also has a strong commitment to serving those with addiction issues and is in the process of earning her licensure as a Clinical Addictions Specialist and Clinical Social Worker. Ms. Beresford stated, “My dream is to help people living within the margins of society feel heard and seen.”