I paid my way through college and university by working as a stock clerk at Save-On-Foods. I earned my Bachelor of Arts degree from the University College of the Fraser Valley, and went to UBC to get my Bachelors of Education, graduating in 1998. I later earned my Masters of Education from City University.
During these years I was baptized, and in 2000 I began attending Glad Tidings Fellowship where I became a Deacon. I was one of the coordinators for Love Chilliwack, connecting churches in a co-operative effort to serve our city. Beginning in 2009, I dedicated Friday nights to volunteering at Ruth and Naomi's missions. I later shifted to supporting Cyrus Centre, a new ministry, serving as a neighborhood ambassador for two years.
More recently I have sponsored and funded the CSS Breakfast Program in the school where I work, supplying breakfast to youth who show up hungry. This program runs with the cooperation of the Aboriginal support team at Chilliwack Secondary School, and it is open to all students. I have also sponsored a number of student clubs at CSS, including CSU (Christian Students United – formerly known as Soul Tattoo), the Diversity Alliance (pro-inclusion/anti-bullying), and the Games Club.