At 25, Allie Cole has already blasted through many of life's major rites of passage. As a mother of two who had her first daughter at 18, Allie spent her early twenties focusing on her family, putting her own career aspirations on hold to ensure her children had everything they needed. But as her children grew, so did a quiet, persistent calling toward mental health work. Today, Allie isn't just answering that call; she's leading the charge as May's Volunteer of the Month.
Allie's journey into the field began at Rappahannock Community College (RCC), where she enrolled to study social work. It was there that an email about the Youth Mental Health Corps (YMHC)-an AmeriCorps program-caught her eye. With the unwavering encouragement of her husband and family, Allie applied. After navigating some initial hurdles, the stars finally aligned. "I knew it was meant to be," she reflects.
The YMHC program proved to be the perfect bridge between education and career. It allowed Allie to dual-enroll at George Mason University (GMU), where she earned six credits toward her social work degree, and additionally earned the necessary didactic hours required to pursue licensure through the Virginia Department of Counseling.
Her service began at the Community Services Board (CSB) of the Middle Peninsula-Northern Neck, where she initially shadowed clinicians and observed assessments. As her confidence grew, Allie moved from the sidelines to the front lines, eventually serving on the COPE line, a vital crisis hotline connecting residents to urgent resources. The impact was immediate. Allie quickly transitioned from volunteer to employee of the Community Services Board. "One of the great things about this program is how it directly connects you to real employment opportunities," she says. "You can kick-start your career before you even have your degree."
At GMU, she also received training on Sources of Strength, a suicide prevention program focused on building resilience in young people. Volunteer time spent at Gloucester High School reinforced her understanding of the power and potential of the peer-focused program. On May 21, Allie will become one of the first certified Sources of Strength trainers in the region. She is so committed to this upstream prevention program that she has signed up for a second year of volunteering with the YMHC to oversee its implementation in area schools, starting in Richmond County.
"I feel like this is where I'm meant to be," Allie says. "There is a crisis in youth mental health, and we need all the people we can get in this field." Her advice to anyone hesitating is simple: "You just don't know what is out there until you look. Take a chance."
Perhaps the most surprising part of Allie's journey is how it changed her perspective on service. As a busy mother, she never thought she had the time to give back. However, the YMHC program offered a small stipend that helped defray expenses, making it accessible for a working parent. "It opened my eyes to what volunteering really is," Allie explains. This newfound passion has even spread to her family life; she now volunteers at the local humane society, which welcomes her to bring her kids with her when she is volunteering.
Don't miss out on hearing Allie's interview on Bay FM!
For more information: The Virginia Youth Mental Health Corps, which is part of a national initiative headed by the Schultz Family Foundation and Pinterest, uses a near-peer model to engage young adults in service to address the youth mental health crisis in the Commonwealth. Young adults (18-24 or 29) serve youth (12-24 or 29) in schools and community settings, providing mentorship, resources, and peer recovery. While serving, YMHC members receive training and professional development, allowing them to become credentialed and opening the door to careers in the behavioral and mental health field.
What's your passion? Find out through volunteering!
