I am extremely excited to have the opportunity to once again be a part of The Next Chapter Book Club. While in graduate school I was a LEAD student at the Nisonger Center under the guidance of Dr. Tom Fish. I had the great honor of assisting Dr. Fish with getting the NCBCs started, by developing training materials, interviewing volunteers, providing trainings, monitoring book clubs and delivering books and supplies. I was able to witness firsthand how impactful this program is for both the participants and the volunteers. I watched how nonreaders gained confidence and learned to read a few words at a time, to complete sentences. I watched true friendships being made, sometimes for the first time ever. I watched the communities embrace our population, where in the past they had often been feared. What this program has provided is phenomenal. Dr. Fish had an amazing vision, which he put into fruition, and I’m excited to continue his great work and be a part of its continuing growth and development.

Throughout her professional tenure, she has worked tirelessly as a community advocate – partnering with Senator Sherrod Brown to protect the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). Crystal continued her policy work as an advocate for Save the Children Action Network, an organization committed to ensuring quality early childhood education and affordable childcare for all children. She is an advocate for paid family leave and works with the Women’s Public Policy Networks and PL+US to advance this policy.

The culmination of her policy work resulted in her run for the Ohio Senate, District 16 in the 2020 campaign cycle. Although her race did not result in a win, she lost by only 131 votes – challenging an eight-year incumbent, and moved the district 9 points from the previous election. Crystal passionately works to ensure that every person receives representation in the community and in their government. She continues to work on policy to support and lift up all Ohioans, but specifically people with disabilities, mental health disorders, and Ohio’s working families.

Graduating with a Sociology degree from the University of Hawaii, Desi has always gravitated towards helping, teaching, and learning about others. Desi has had various internships and job opportunities over her blossoming career that have molded her into the driven, caring, compassionate businesswoman she is today. Desi has experienced life-altering work-place opportunities like guiding and supporting middle school ESL students as they transitioned to a new normal while receiving a formal education. In college, she was also chosen out of many applicants to be a Resident Assistant who led educational programs, planned community activities, and aided three dorms with any instructive, social, or health-related needs. On university breaks, Desi was the Assistant Director of a summer camp that provided services to adolescents with disabilities. While holding the Assistant Director’s title, Desi completed two study abroad programs in Seville, Spain, and London, England. She also worked at a supporting living agency as both a Direct Support Professional, assisting adults with meaningful daily living tasks and community engagement, and an administrative intern, learning the valuable skills necessary to run and engage in a thriving business environment. After graduating, Desi took on a Manager of Quality position at a day program for adults with disabilities, serving 250 individuals and 75 staff. After about two years, she was asked to make roots at one of the company’s central locations to be the Site Director. After eleven years in the field, Desi has enjoyed working alongside and supporting people of all backgrounds, disabilities, and mental health diagnoses. Desi finds the work done at the Next Chapter Book Club to be very fulfilling and thinks it a pleasure to watch the members further their learning and social development. In her spare time, you can find Desi singing and dancing with her dog or diving into the latest TV series.