Melissa Winter has been involved in community advocacy and outreach both personally and professionally for over five years, providing direct services, using a strengths based case management approach, writing curriculum and presenting training for providers, community partners, businesses and youth on local, state and national levels. Melissa, in collaboration with Starzette Palmer, planned, organized and implemented the programming and community building of the Passages LGBTQ youth program, Missouri’s longest-running LGBTQ Youth Drop-in Center. Melissa has experience in building and implementing policies and procedures, grant management, billing, supervision of employees, and other administrative duties. Melissa has over 10 years experience in child development from early stages through young adulthood, focusing on psychological, cognitive and emotional milestones that allow for a more holistic progressive variation catered to each individual’s needs.