Group leaders and facilitators are experienced and trained in the areas of teaching, mediation and facilitation. Their backgrounds include having experience dealing with youth in an educational setting, behavioral health and social settings.
another picture of varonda will go here (maybe graduation photo) or photo with kids
More About Varonda Curry
Varonda Curry received her Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, with a Graduate Certificate in Counseling from Capella University, in 2023. She served her undergraduate at Kaplan University receiving a Bachelor's of Science in Human Services, emphasis in Child and Family Welfare, in 2015. Varonda is currently working as a counselor in a private practice in Victorville, California where she is currently an Associate Professional Clinical Counselor. Her volunteer work with CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) has been her passion where she volunteered in both Montgomery County Maryland and San Bernardino Counties. This has afforded her the opportunity to work closely with Juvenile Courts, foster youth, teachers, and school counselors to improve the lives of at risk youth. Her passion for helping youth went far beyond her education as she always opened her home to friends of her sons, so they were able to have a place to relax and feel safe. CGT is her vision to improve the lives of youth through communication in a group setting. For fun, Varonda enjoys scrapbooking, reading, traveling, and spending time with family and her two sons.
Jacqueline Lewis
Secretary
Valcine Brown
Vice President
Varonda Curry
President/CEO
Varonda Curry graduated from Kaplan University in 2015 where she received her Bachelor’s in Human Services, emphasizing in Child and Family Welfare. She is currently in her Master’s program for Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Capella University and has received a graduate certificate in Contemporary Theory in Mental Health Services in 2019. After graduation, Varonda will continue her internship at a nonprofit organization in San Bernardino, California and seek licensure as a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor. Her career began with the federal government for 30 years where she is currently employed with the Department of Homeland Security and has worked closely with the DHS Blue Campaign combating human trafficking. Varonda volunteered as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for Montgomery County, Maryland for 4 years worked with the Juvenile Courts to help improve the lives of youth who were at risk and in foster care, along with attorneys, social workers, and Montgomery County School Districts. Her passion for helping youth went far beyond her education as she always opened her home to friends of her sons, so they were able to have a place to relax and feel safe. CGT is her vision to improve the lives of youth through communication in a group setting. For fun, Varonda enjoys scrapbooking, reading, traveling, and spending time with her two sons.
Valcine Brown is a high school English Language Arts (ELA) teacher and mother of three adult children. She earned her Bachelorette of Arts in English Literature from California State University, San Bernardino. She earned a Masters in Fine Arts in Humanities with an emphasis in creative writing from Tiffin University and a Masters of Fine Arts in English Literature from Southern New Hampshire University. She is currently pursuing her philosophical doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction at Liberty University. When she has her PhD in hand, she desires to write curriculum for the ELA classroom that is culturally inclusive, engaging and inviting for young minds.
Valcine accepted the board member position because she has a passion to help young people find a positive way to navigate the trials and tribulations that sometimes befalls them. She plans to use her experience with working with young children to help CGT reach the young people who need their services of counseling and group therapy.
An interesting fact about Valcine is that she enjoys going line dancing with her friends and singing karaoke when she is not enjoying a good novel. She also loves gardening and has chickens on her homestead. When not carrying a briefcase, you can find her dawning a straw hat and getting dirty in her garden.
Veronica Dawson
Chief Financial Officer
Veronica R. Dawson is currently a Senior Contract Auditor within the federal government with the United States Department of Defense Certification in Financial Management. She is a certified mediator with the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service. Veronica received her Master of Administration from California State University of Dominguez Hills, and a Bachelor of Science from University of Phoenix.
In her spare time, Veronica enjoys giving back to her community by helping those in need who live in underserved communities. Her passion is volunteering at New Mount Calvary Baptist Church as their Assistant Executive Director of Sisters in Ministry (SIM). She soon realised how much youth were struggling with anxiety due to bullying and wanted to help their emotional well- being. CGT has given Veronica another opportunity to volunteer and to help provide support through informative sessions and educational coping techniques one child at a time.
As a proud mother of 3 amazing young men and a Grandmother of 5 amazing grandchildren, I want to continue my service to communities that center their objective around youth, especially their well-being.
Some of my work history includes, managing and operating “No More Empty Shelves”, that received donated goods from community stores and some big named businesses, to give to those in need within the community. I was responsible for soliciting well known companies to donate toys or monetary gift certificates for those families who struggled during the holidaysto have gifts to open for Christmas.
I also worked for Boy Scouts of America for several years and operated an annual fundraising program called “Huck Finn” which grossed over 5K for our city council within the community. I also solicited big business for donated items, books, monetary gift cards, or products from their company to be used as raffles or silent auctions.
I sat on the board of ”Two Life Styles” which is a nonprofit organization for abused women and their children. Our role was to help women and their children find a safe way out of abusive relationships and locate safe housing.
CGT is a great non-profit organization that I believe will be influential in the community served, to help youth find safe ways to express themselves. I look forward to being part of this important role in youth’s lives by encouraging them to be themselves.