Kristyn Pagano

WORK HISTORY

EDUCATION

SKILLS

ABOUT KRISTYN PAGANO

My career and passion for the population I serve began in 2001 as a fresh graduate from Grace College and Seminary, with a BA in Psychology and BA in Sociology. With blind eyes and an open heart, I began my career with Maryville Academy in a residential home for 10 behaviorally challenged adolescent girls. I was exposed to the unfortunate and heart breaking reality of many young peoples lives. I learned, first hand, of unheard of abuse, neglect, and abandonment, while looking into the faces of the children affected by this cruelty. After countless times of holding back tears, while listening to these stories, I knew, I was were I was suppose to be. I did not know what path was before me or what I was suppose to do. However, I knew that the young ladies, needed someone to stand up for them. Someone to be on their side no matter what. Someone to provide them with a sense of security, respect, and love. This population is accustom to people leaving or giving up on them, when it gets hard or uncomfortable. I have vowed not to be that person, that disappointment, their \"justification\" for failure. I have vowed to stick with this often difficult population, to show them, people care, I care.I have encountered many challenges and struggles along this path. I have been tempted to be the one who leaves and takes the \"easier\" route. But, I will never leave this path knowing how much more needs to be done. I realize, I will not help everyone. I will make many more mistakes. I will have challenges and trials. However, I know, I will see that one smile, hear the cry of forgiveness from one who carries so much pain, witness the change of heart from one with a heart of stone. All of that, although it does not happen as often as I would like. Makes everything worthwhile. I will never forget many of the stories I heard, faces I have looked into, or hearts I have seen changed. For they are the reasons, I LOVE what I do!How we treat others MAKES A DIFFERENCE!