Meet Marnie.

Home: Portland, OR

Horoscope: Capricorn

Favorite book: The Expanse series by James SA Corey

Hero: my friends Jamie & Jill

Superpower: organizing…let me at that pantry or closet!

Hardest challenge: losing two of my dearest friends to cancer within a year while going through some really difficult medical, job, and housing challenges myself

Guilty pleasure: Captain America, as played by Chris Evans in the Marvel movies

Favorite Lacuna Loft Program: Unspoken Ink (but I also really enjoy YAC coloring hangouts)

Proudest moment: Watching my son grow into an awesome human!

The best piece of advice I’ve received: Asking for help is a strength and an exercise in trust; being vulnerable in that way allows others to show their love and kindness.

How I stay mentally healthy: reaching out to friends; writing; therapy; trying to spend time outside; petting all the dogs I can; re-watching favorite movies and shows

Personal Mantra: life is short – don’t let it pass you by while you aren’t looking

My favorite part of being part of Lacuna Loft: I love how connected this community is, even outside of Lacuna Loft programs. We truly understand and care and do everything we can to support one another.

Meet Yolanda Murphy.

Home: Pittsburgh, PA

Horoscope: Aries

Favorite Book: Brave New World by Aldous Huxley

Hero: My Mom!

Superpower: My ability to see the silver lining in any situation.

Hardest Challenge: Facing and surviving my breast cancer journey.

Guilty Pleasure: A hot, steamy seafood boil with spicy butter sauce, (I make it myself!)

Favorite Lacuna Loft Program: Unspoken Ink: Creative Writing Workshop

Proudest Moment: My first time as a keynote speaker.

The best piece of advice I’ve ever received: “The only thing hindering us from our next level is us.” -DK

How I stay mentally healthy: Pray! Continually connecting to family & friends; also having me time!

Personal Mantra: “You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.”

My favorite part of being part of Lacuna Loft: Being connected to other amazing young adult survivors who just get it!

Meet Justin Birckbichler.

Home: Fredericksburg, VA

Horoscope: Leo

Favorite Book: Move Your Bus by Ron Clark

Hero: Robert Downey, Jr.

Superpower: I’m either excellent at something or terrible. No middle ground.

Hardest Challenge: Losing my cat unexpectedly.

Guilty Pleasure: I’m rather partial to some Taytay and Miley, TikTok, and Pokemon Red.

Favorite Lacuna Loft Program: The “Young Adult Voices” Blog!

Proudest Moment: My Ted Talk

The best piece of advice I’ve ever received: Find your happiness.

How I stay mentally healthy: Writing, Reading, Exercise

Personal Mantra: “We don’t make excuses, we make changes.”

My favorite part of being part of Lacuna Loft: The awesome people.

Meet KM Hammond.

Home: Raleigh, NC

Horoscope: Pisces

Favorite Book: What?! I have to pick ONE? A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness, They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera, This is How You Lose the Time War by Amal El- Mohtar and Max Gladstone, The Murderbot Diaries by Martha Wells, The Last Sun by KD Edwards, Empress of Forever by Max Gladstone, The Wayward Children Series by Seanan McGuire, The Lady Astronaut Series by Mary Robinette Kowal. …Ran out of space!!…

Hero: My Mom!

Superpower: Getting up at ungodly hours. 🙂

Hardest Challenge: Forgiving myself and honoring who I was at the time I made my biggest mistakes.

Pleasure: Reading romantic comedies like Red, White, and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston and Felix Ever After by Kacen Callendar.

Favorite Lacuna Loft Program: Unspoken Ink!

Proudest Moment: Heh, no idea. But jumping off a cliff on my First Descents trip made me pretty damn proud of myself.

The best piece of advice I’ve ever received: Let yourself feel.

How I stay mentally healthy: Self-forgiveness and a lot of processing via creative writing.

Personal Mantra: #YOLOFuckIT! Take the risk – stop waiting for things to be perfect. Life will never be perfect. So just do it.

My favorite part of being part of Lacuna Loft: Our amazing community and the friendships I’ve made.