Jessica Embry of NeuroRestorative, a partner of The MENTOR Network, has been name a Community Champion of The MENTOR Network’s Charitable Foundation for the third quarter of FY15. These employees are nominated by their colleagues and are being recognized for their work with local non-profit organizations, where they donate their time and energy to improve quality of life for their neighbors. The Champions’ chosen nonprofits will receive a $500 grant from The MENTOR Network Charitable Foundation.
As Program Director for NeuroRestorative Kentucky’s program in Louisville, Jessica has served on the Board of Directors for the Brain Injury Alliance of Kentucky (BIAK) since 2008 and was elected President this past year. BIAK is a non-profit agency that serves those affected by brain injury through advocacy, education, prevention, service and support.
In her role, Jessica focuses on fundraising and raising awareness. She also devotes her time to linking survivors of brain injury and their families to support from others with similar experience and other resources. She personally knows how important this is because at the age of seven, her father suffered from a brain injury.
“Because of my dad, I want to be able to help others. Being a child affected by brain injury I knew people weren’t aware of the issues. I just want to make a difference and help others,” said Jessica.
Jessica’s motivation for entering the field of brain injury is related to her father’s brain injury, but her continued passion revolves around the success stories that come out of her work both with NeuroRestorative and BIAK. She influences the lives of nearly 100 clients with brain injuries each day at work and her volunteer work only adds to this number of those affected by brain injury that she positively impacts. Most recently she spearheaded a bike helmet campaign in which BIAK provided free helmets across the state in order to help prevent the fourth leading cause of brain injury in Kentuckians, ages 5-14.
Jessica shared that the most rewarding parts about volunteering with BIAK are, “the changes we make together as a team to help those that are affected and building the camaraderie and support network in the community for survivors and their family members.”
“Jessica is passionate about her role in the treatment of adults with brain injury,” said Jane Stahl, State Director at NeuroRestorative Kentucky. “Her first “job” in brain injury was as a child when her father sustained a brain injury and she became a caregiver. Today she shares her heart and expertise with our participants, families, staff and community.”
Brain Injury Awareness is Jessica’s passion and BIAK provides her an extended platform to continue to spread the word.
To learn more about the Brain Injury Alliance of Kentucky, please visit their website at http://www.biak.us/.
About The MENTOR Network Charitable Foundation
The MENTOR Network Charitable Foundation is committed to transforming the delivery of human services through the generation of new ideas and best practices. We seek to advance an agenda based on quality, accountability and respect for the individual. The focus of our giving is on organizations that take a fresh look—through research, innovative thinking, direct care and programming—at how people with disabilities and youth and families facing emotional, behavioral and other challenges are cared for in our society. The Foundation also works to expand opportunity for the people we serve through employment and educational support.