GET TO KNOW AMELIA VASSAR

Meet Amelia, The Imagine Institute’s Director for Equity and Evaluation! Amelia has been with Imagine for over two years and was instrumental in creating the PREPARE for Care program, creating anti-racist and trauma-informed curriculum for early child care providers to implement into their care environment.

Before joining the Imagine team, Amelia worked for SEIU 925, SEIU Local 6, adoption/foster care, domestic violence, and most recently at Lifelong performing case management for individuals living with HIV. Her passion for helping others is unmistakable. Amelia says she finds strength in one of her favorite quotes by Harriet Tubman, “If you hear the dogs, keep going. If you see the torches in the woods, keep going. If there’s shouting after you, keep going. Don’t ever stop. Keep going. If you want a taste of freedom, keep going.” It reminds her of how perilous the underground railroad was and makes the small challenges in her life seem more manageable.

“There’s always going to be some strange curveball you’re going to get thrown. But, I like a challenge. It’s been interesting to find a way to do it that works for everyone.”

-Amelia

Launching the PREPARE for Care program was no easy task, and the second year brought the unique challenges of dealing with COVID. In the face of it all, Amelia’s outlook is refreshing. “There’s always going to be some strange curveball you’re going to get thrown. But, I like a challenge. It’s been interesting to find a way to do it that works for everyone.”

The PREPARE program has been a great success, and Amelia loves seeing how providers grow. From the very beginning, Amelia was drawn to Imagine’s openness for collaboration and innovation, which has allowed her to approach problems with creative liberties, “If you come up with an idea and a way to do it, you can do it. Imagine is open to change. You have the freedom to really try anything.” Amelia was a natural fit to take the reins as the Director of Equity and Evaluation, ensuring that Imagine’s programs and curriculum embody our philosophy.

Raised in Southern California, Amelia admits it took some getting used to the rain! But, now, she loves how beautiful and green everything is. On the weekends you can find her with her 6-year old, just one of 3 kids, at the park. She is an avid reader and is currently loving the post-apocalyptic sci-fi genre.

“If you come up with an idea and a way to do it, you can do it. Imagine is open to change. You have the freedom to really try anything.”

Amelia, thank you for your determination, dedication, and incredible work that you provide to The Imagine Institute! We can’t wait to see the changes you will continue to make and the effect they will have on the providers and the community they serve.