• Board member since 2024
• Resident of Saint Joseph, MI

Bernadette is a Michigan native who was raised on the lakeshore in Bridgman. She spent eight years in Kalamazoo for college and graduate school, earning her undergraduate degree in psychology and her master's in social work. During her education, she focused on trauma-informed therapy, holistic health, art therapy, and macro (policy) social work. Throughout her time in Kalamazoo, she worked at a non-profit called Gryphon Place, where her passion for community collaboration blossomed. She handled disaster management, resource/database management, and community outreach/collaboration for eight counties. Currently, she works as a medical social worker at the hospital in St. Joseph. Prior to that, she spent a few years working as an outpatient clinical therapist in private practice. She is a dedicated Acorn volunteer and also volunteers for the Red Cross as a disaster mental health clinician. If she’s not working or volunteering, she’s hiking in the woods or walking the beach with her dog Louie, spending time with friends & family, reading, writing, or practicing photography.

Her professional and personal experiences have taught her that fostering art in a community brings connection, beauty, and enriches the lives of the people who reside there. “Through expression, art fosters connection, aiding us in understanding ourselves and others. Understanding or awareness is the first step to change, as we emphasize in therapy.” This is why, in her therapeutic practice, she frequently incorporates art and music therapy. The same magic can be harnessed to grow and strengthen communities through art.

She specifically feels honored to serve The Acorn, not just because it brings art into the community, but because The Acorn itself is extraordinary. It is entirely unique, from the stars on the ceiling that originated as leftover wedding decorations to Bill, who delivers the most welcoming speeches, to Rasa, the most dedicated volunteer and music lover you'll ever meet. All the individual pieces that have come together to create the magic of The Acorn couldn't be replicated. When volunteering, she has the opportunity to engage with patrons, staff, and other volunteers, and everyone echoes the same sentiment:

There is something truly special about The Acorn. She is sure you all understand exactly what she means.

Since entering the workforce, Bernadette sought opportunities to work both hands-on and behind the scenes, guiding and creating large-scale changes. She would like to contribute to that mission as an Acorn board member. She brings knowledge and skills related to mental health, community connection/collaboration, and social policy. In some ways, she does not fit the typical mold of board member candidates; she sees this as an advantage and would love to bring diverse ideas and energy to assist The Acorn Board in the great task of serving as caretakers for this special little theater.