Our speaker will be RPCV Maureen Kishna—Maureen served in Guyana from ’96-’98 as a Youth Development Worker and teacher. She worked with the Guyana Responsible Parenthood Association assisting in the development of a peer educators program, anger management training for prison officers, literacy training for young females, etc.

Maureen has worked for the last 14 years within the Multisytemic Therapy Program, which is commonly called MST.  MST is a family and community-based counseling program for youth involved in multiple systems due to their problematic behaviors.  She worked as a therapist, supervisor, and now as a consultant for the last seven years. MST addresses the root causes of delinquency, substance abuse and unruly behaviors in adolescents by empowering caregivers, and developing in them the needed parenting skills to meet their youth’s complex needs.  Additionally, Maureen is a certified cognitive therapist and a licensed school social worker by the State of Ohio Department of Education. Prior to MST, Maureen worked in a wide array of settings locally and internationally including in a residential treatment center, community youth centers, a family planning clinic, schools, and in a community-based respite program for adolescent boys with severe emotional and behavioral challenges.

On Tuesday, Maureen will share her experience in the Peace Corps, how that transitioned and translates into her current work, the positive impact MST has on our communities, and ways that we can support and contribute to youth development in Northern Ohio. A Q&A session will follow.

All attendees are asked to contribute $7 to go toward the cost of appetizers and light food options. (i.e., Fruit & Cheese Plate, Spinach & Feta Triangles, Citrus glazed meatballs, and Assorted Flatbreads (veggie & Meat)). Soft drinks will be provided; however, alcoholic beverages are not covered. Drink specials will be available for the group.

For more information on Maureen’s (MSSA, LISW-S) journey, follow the link below.Maureen Kishna, MSSA, LISW-S: http://msass.case.edu/downloads/begun/mkishna.pdf