Katrina Currie was abused when she was 12, and became a runaway, addicted to alcohol and drugs as a teen. She frequently ended up in dangerous situations. Katrina became a single mother at age 15 and again at 17, and dropped out of school. But her care and concern for her children prompted her to seek and successfully complete treatment.

Through hard work and dedication, Katrina earned her GED and began college in her mid-twenties. At California State University, Sacramento she was twice awarded the prestigious BEL Foundation Scholarship and earned a bachelor’s degree in gerontology this past spring with a 3.6 GPA.

Katrina’s experience in volunteering at the Senior Safe House and her internship at the UC Davis Hospice program led her to focus on improving care for older adults with dementia. This fall Katrina entered the master’s of education, curriculum and instruction program at Sacramento State. She plans to become a consultant and educator to influence care facilities to participate in a person-centered dementia care approach.