Welcome, Carissa!
Hello Bright Spot Network Community!
I am beyond excited to step into the Director of Programs and Community Outreach position with Bright Spot Network. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Certified Oncology Social Worker. I come to the role with 14 years of cancer experience working as a Program Manager for Children, Youth and Families at Gilda’s Club Madison (an affiliate of the Cancer Support Community) where I worked with families facing cancer. I built curriculum for youth support groups, facilitated groups for kids, teens and parents, led educational workshops, and coordinated a full calendar of program activities for all ages. I have been co-chair of the Association of Oncology Social Work’s Youth, Families and Cancer Special Interest Group since 2015 where I promote best clinical practices with children who have a parent with cancer and network with colleagues around the globe who work with families affected by cancer.
In addition to my work with BSN, I have a private psychotherapy practice and am a Long Term Lecturer at the Sandra Rosenbaum School of Social Work at the University of Wisconsin Madison. I teach a graduate course on grief and loss, as well as an introductory class to working with individuals, families and groups. I enjoy traveling around the country giving presentations and leading agency trainings on cancer, caregiving, grief/loss, and parenting.
I was drawn to the cancer world because my father had lung cancer when I was 7 and my step-father had liver cancer when I was a young adult. These experiences gave me insights into what it’s really like to have a parent with cancer. It is not an easy or natural situation to navigate, and yet, I’ve found that most families travel through it with grace and strength. I’ve done a lot of research in the field of resilience, and my professional work has validated that kids can actually grow through the cancer of a parent. It is never something you would wish for your family. Ever. And yet, when kids are told the truth and given the support they need, they thrive and learn valuable life skills.
My wife and I live in Verona, WI (a suburb of Madison, WI) with our 7 year old son and 10 year old pup Melvin. The past two years have gifted us incredible time together, playing lots of board games, telling silly stories, learning magic tricks, creating obstacle courses, and treating ourselves to my wife’s hand-made chocolates. When I have time to myself I enjoy adding unique embroidery to pieces of clothing, reading post-apocalyptic novels, starting DIY home projects, and going for hikes in the prairie.
I look forward to connecting with each of you to learn more about how to make BSN the best support community for young families with cancer. I invite emails and phone calls to get to know you and listen to your specific thoughts.
Warmly,
Carissa