Meet our Social Worker, Erica Gaston!
December 2, 2024
The personal philosophy of helping children heal
My name is Erica Gaston. I am a Social Worker here at Kalasho Education & Youth Services.
Walking into MINDgarden for my interview, I was immediately overcome with emotion; I wanted to cry. The beauty of the facility moved me deeply. Marginalized populations usually do not get an opportunity to experience healing in such a lovely environment. Before my interview, I saw the philosophy of MINDgarden stated: “By weaving together the wisdom of traditional healing and the precision of evidence-based methods, we ensure that each child embarks on a well-rounded journey toward healing and growth.” I knew the organization aligned with my personal philosophy of helping children heal.
The facility was top-tier for a serene healing environment geared towards our youth. The philosophy was close to my heart, and as if that wasn’t enough, I then met the team! Learning about the Kalasho family, my supervisor, and the team was the icing on an already beautiful cake. I am allotted the opportunity to work with people who have a purpose in life, similar to mine, to help others overcome the barriers they face. I feel blessed to be able to work with great people in a great environment.
I am excited every day about the amazing work we will accomplish together.
Hello, Marhaba! My name is Christine Glasper. I have been a school counselor for 15 years, a private therapist for 9 years and an administrator for 8 years. I am a wife and a mother of 3 beautiful kids. A counselor deeply impacted my life in middle school and my love for working with school age kiddos and young adults was born. Over time that has developed into a drive to open doors of opportunity for my students, to provide a safe space to explore oneself and make life improvements to my clients, and to support teachers, parents and the community at large in our collective efforts to make the world a better place. I am a huge believer in “teamwork makes the dream work”, “be[ing] the change you wish to see”, the Serenity prayer and the golden rule. I’m blessed and thankful to be working with MINDgarden and the Kalasho Education and Youth Services because there are so many mission aligned people here; and only great things can happen when you put a lot of good people together in one place. I look forward to meeting you, dear reader. Have a good day!
Hi, My name is Sabika Sheikh. I am a Counseling Psychology Therapist, offering mental health counseling services at Kalasho Education & Youth services. I’ve always believed that healing isn't just about talking through challenges, it’s also about finding joy, connection, and moments of lightness, even during difficult times. Over the years, working with clients facing cancer, depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, relationship struggles, and children navigating big emotions, I’ve seen how powerful recreational activities can be in the healing process. What excites me most about MINDgarden’s setting, is the chance to blend my counseling back ground with opportunities for people to express themselves, build confidence, and rediscover happiness in safe and creative ways. Whether it's through group activities, art, play, or simply encouraging someone to try something new, I love creating spaces where people can feel sup ported while also experiencing joy. This work is a natural fit for me because I genuinely enjoy helping others not only process their challenges but also celebrate their strengths. I am honored to bring both my heart and my skills to MINDgarden!