Meet our Executive Assistant, Sara Merditaj!
December 12, 2024
The center or zen
My name is Sara Merditaj, and I’m the Executive Assistant at Kalasho Education & Youth Services. I’m truly grateful to work at MINDgarden — a space filled with calming energy and purpose. When I need peace, I often retreat to the Cherry Blossom Library.
In 2024, I started a book club focused on self-care, healing, and mental health. Coming from an Albanian immigrant family where mental health was often stigmatized, these books have helped process generational trauma and better understand my past. One that deeply resonated with me was You Can Heal Your Life
by Louise Hay. Her quote, “You’re not a helpless victim of your own thoughts but rather a master of your own mind,” stays with me every day.
As someone who struggled with body image growing up and felt the weight of cultural expectations, I find MINDgarden’s mission especially meaningful. It offers the kind of support I wish I had as a child — especially for youth from immigrant or refugee backgrounds. I’m proud to be part of a place that nurtures healing and growth.
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!