Meet Yvonne – Grant Halliburton Foundation’s mental health education manager.

For more than six years, Yvonne was an educator in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Through that experience, she gained social-emotional learning skills to help convey vital topics to students, parents, and educators to help and equip youth with coping skills. Yvonne is committed to educating and spreading the word about mental health and suicide prevention and believes that learning how to cope or support others with mental health conditions can be the first step toward resilience.

Here are 10 things to know about Yvonne!

1. What was your first job?
My first job was as a hostess and waitress at IHOP when I was 16. It was a terrible experience! I really preferred to have a job at H.E.B. like my friends.

2. What’s your guilty pleasure?
I love dark chocolate-covered pretzels, a cozy blanket, and a juicy book or drama-filled TV show.

3. What advice would you give to your teenage self?
Don’t get bangs, and cherish every moment with your family.

4. What’s your favorite movie scene and why?
This is a tough one, but if I had to pick a film, I would choose “Avengers: End Game.” The scene that brought tears of joy to my eyes is when all of the Avengers begin to assemble to help Captain America defeat Thanos.

5. What’s one thing people would be surprised to know about you?
When I was younger, I rode horses every Saturday morning with my neighbor on their family ranch. Also, in high school, I jumped a 19’ 2” in long jump, and I still hold that track and field record today after almost 15 years.

6. What would you name the autobiography of your life?
I would name the autobiography of my life, “Finding Comfort in the Uncertainty.” Even though life has brought me so such adversity, I’ve been able to adapt and accept unforeseen situations as they occur, trusting that God will guide my path.

7. What do you enjoy doing when you’re not at work?
I love playing with my pups, Saint and Beaux. My husband, James, and I love to cook new dishes and try new restaurants.

8. What are your top three TV shows you’re streaming right now?
Right now, I’m watching “The Last of Us” on Max and “Silo” on Apple TV+. I would definitely recommend them both!

9. Where’s your favorite travel destination and why?
I don’t have a destination that I travel to frequently, but some of my most memorable trips were to Toronto and Puerto Vallarta.

10. Why is Grant Halliburton Foundation’s mission important to you?
Grant Halliburton Foundation’s mission is important to me because it provides guidance for youth who need help but may not know how to receive it. The Foundation allows young voices to be heard. I wish I knew more about mental health and the resources available when I was younger. This is why I’m so passionate about educating youth today.