Kara-lee Ruotolo, a Pioneer Counselor who is based at McClure Middle School, has been involved with Passages Northwest in many ways. Here are her comments on her involvement with us.

"My experiences with Passages Northwest have been an absolute gift to me, in both my professional life as well as in my personal life. As a Child and Family Therapist working in the Seattle Public Schools, collaborating with Passages Northwest, and their after school programs; like Girls Rock, has been such an asset to my job. I have been a witness to girls growing in leaps and bounds after learning how to find their courage and strength within themselves. After going through a program like this, these girls have an astounding new confidence that allows them to use their own voice, and to look at others in the eye while communicating. As a woman who loves the outdoors, I have participated in some of the Women in Wilderness programs that Passages offers each year. Through kayaking and rock climbing with other women, I have been able to do things that I love and have met some incredible women at the same time."