Special Trainings in: Bullying Prevention, Suicide Prevention, Childhood Trauma and Epigenetics, Supporting Minorities in Mental Health, and Impacts of Father-Child Relationships
BS in Education–Middle School Endorsement, MS in Psychology–Child & Adolescent Development (December 2022)
Favorites
Foods: Mexican, Italian, and especially dark chocolate brownies
Hobbies: Family-time, Hiking, Watching comedies or other TV shows with heart and humor, drinks and laughs with friends, Quiet time with God
Bible Verse/Quote: Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not to your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your path. Proverbs 3:5-6
Way to Make the World Better: That every community made supporting parents a PRIORITY so that every child grew up feeling loved, valued, and treasured!
Fun Fact: I know how to ski on one ski.
Real Life Moment: When my oldest was a toddler, I let a cuss word slip and he started repeating it over and over! Oooops!!!
Meet Kim Smith, President…
Single Mother of 4 children
Manager of Client Support and Implementation
Favorites
Foods: Hawaiian Chicken or anything with chicken in it 🙂
Hobbies: Reading, traveling, and being with my kiddos.
Bible Verse/Quote: Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9
Way to Make the World Better: End racism
Fun Fact: Let see – I am left handed 🙂 It is always a shock to people who have known me for a long time. And yellow is my favorite color.
Real Life Moment: Realizing I left my wallet at home after being on the road for 3 hours.
Meet Emily Hurth, Vice President….
Mother of 2 children, married since 2014
Bachelor of Science in Applied Health Science (Major: Human Development and Family Studies)
Master of Social Work (Concentration: Children and Families)
Certified Child Life Specialist at Carle Hospital
Favorites
Foods: Cookie Dough!
Hobbies: Cooking, gardening, interior design, community work
Bible Verse/Quote: “Kind words can be short and easy to speak but their echoes are truly endless.” – Mother Teresa
Way to Make the World Better: Offer free mental health services to all children and adolescents
Fun Fact: I have a fear of driving or walking over bridges.
Real Life Moment: Too many to pick one!
Meet Tom Carlson, Treasurer…
Father of 1 daughter
Materials Engineer at US Army Construction Engineering Research Laboratory
BS in Materials Science and Engineering; MS in Engineering Mechanics
Favorites
Foods: Tacos
Hobbies: outdoor recreation, bicycles, baking, woodworking, equipment restoration, reading, music
Bible Verse/Quote: God’s provision in 1 Kings 17:16: “For the jar of flour was not used up and the jug of oil did not run dry.”
Way to Make the World Better: eliminate plastic bags
Fun Fact: I can ride a unicycle.
Real Life Moment: My daughter successfully flipped a cheese quesadilla that didn’t have a top tortilla. I was impressed but then not so much by the burnt cheese smell.
Meet Nicole Daniels, Secretary….
Mother of 4, Married since 2013
Stay-at-Home Mom
BS in Family Studies
Former Case Manager for Children and Adults with Special Needs
Church Missionary for 18 months in Washington State
Favorites
Foods: garlic bread
Hobbies: Dancing, singing, Broadway, hiking
Bible Verse/Quote: Surely the Sovereign Lord does nothing without revealing his plan to his servants the prophets. Amos 3:7
Way to Make the World Better: Getting rid of stigmas
Fun Fact: I won a country swing dance contest in college.
Real Life Moment: Dinner time and bed time. Craziest times of the day! haha
Meet Jennifer Aggio, Board Member….
Mother of 4 daughters, Married since 2010
Donates her Graphic Design talents to Real Life Families
Foods: A good juicy hamburger, no bun but all the fixings.
Hobbies: Traveling, Hiking, Kayaking, Crafting
Bible Verse/Quote: Consider it pure joy whenever you face trials of any kind. James 1:2
Way to Make the World Better: Bless every individual with the sense of it’s ok to be different. We can all have different views and still love each other and get along. There’s too much drama and competition of what’s right and what’s wrong and just needs to be more acceptance of everyone unconditionally.
Fun Fact: I have a 3rd degree black belt in Taekwondo
Real Life Moment: Currently its working with my girls on what I mentioned above. Loving unconditionally and understanding not everything has to go their way for it to be ok that they can accept others where they are at in life and its ok.
Meet Rachael McKinney, Board Member…
Mother of 3 children, married since 2006
Family Support Specialist at The Baby Fold
Certified Doula and Childbirth Educator
BS in Business Administration
Favorites
Foods: Mexican food!!
Hobbies: Traveling and being alone.
Bible Verse/Quote: We don’t have to do all of it alone. We were never meant to. Brene Brown
Way to Make the World Better: Taking care of basic needs for people.
Fun Fact: I am working on figuring this out!
Real Life Moment: Once I hired a babysitter to put the kids to bed while I sat in our driveway eating ice cream and watching Netflix until the kids were asleep.
