Saturday, January 3, 2015

Meet Fair Haven Staff Member: Melissa Beller

Melissa lives and works in Northwest Indiana. She has been married for 6 years, and is blessed to be the mother of 2 wonderful children who continue to amaze her daily. Melissa also loves her fur babies: her 6 year old puggle dog: Fisher, and the most recently adopted member of the family, her cat: Gunner. She enjoys singing, watching her favorite tv shows, reading, and playfully refers to herself as a "grammar snob".

Melissa received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Human Development Family Studies, with a specialization in Child and Family Services, from Purdue University Calumet (Hammond) in May 2005. Upon graduation, Melissa continued working for a local grocery store chain for many years, while simultaneously trying to find a career that would allow her to satisfactorily utilize her undergraduate education and skills.

In the winter of 2011, Melissa was given the opportunity by Fair Haven Center for Women to work part-time (8 hours a month) facilitating the children's group in Fair Haven's Strengthening Families Program: Project Sail. She was offered a more permanent position as a Program Facilitator/Administrative Assistant at Fair Haven, in September 2012.

In 2013, Melissa was promoted to the position of Program Supervisor. She also began to facilitate Fair Haven's first adolescent group program: Project Anchor. It was when she was working in this program, that Melissa became inspired to pursue her graduate degree. She enrolled in her current graduate program in December 2013, and is working toward obtaining her Masters of Science degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling.

Melissa is passionate about her work at Fair Haven and feels privileged that she is able to have a career that encompasses what she loves; helping people.