Amber Jewell - LMSW and Author, Finding Hope: The 12 Keys to Healing Hardship, Hurt and Sorrow

Amber Jewell

Amber Jewell, LMSW is a social worker, board president of National Successful Survivor Foundation (successfulsurvivors.org), previous foster child, foster-adoptive parent, national speaker, and author of “Finding Hope: The 12 Keys to Healing Hardship, Hurt and Sorrow” [released 8/31].  

She has over 15 years of experience working with youth and families in child protective services, education and mental health services. As an educator and an advocate for promoting change for and value within people, Amber works to inspire and motivate others to grasp their own form of hope.

I’m excited for you to connect with Amber, check out her work and new book, and follow along as she continues to help others build their personal resilience and develop an extensive toolkit of active coping skills so that you too can weather even the worst that life throws at you - and still find the strength to move forward.

I'd love it if you'd introduce yourself, what you do, and what you're working on.

My name is Amber Jewell.  I am master level social worker in the state of Kansas.  But more than that, I get to play a role in the lives of many people from hard places.  Particularly, I am the Board-president of the National Successful Survivors Foundation, a foster/adoptive parent & worker, previous foster child, k-12 school social worker, and new author of FINDING HOPE—-The 12 Keys to Healing Hardship, Hurt & Sorrow.  As a successful survivor of severe childhood abuse, I work to help others discover their own worth and value and how they can use that to influence the lives of others.

I am working on a workbook to go with my new book and new ways to engage the Successful Survivors Foundation to meet the needs of people from hard places in our country.

How did you get started?

I got started as a writer by attending a writing convention two years ago through a connection of a friend to the Success Survivors Foundation. Though I wrote most of my life as a coping skill, taking the step to publish it was a healing process of my own. That first, vulnerable step created many new avenues of influence for me through writing, speaking and connections. Having a lot of experience in the mental health, education, and non-profit sectors has been a great advantage to my ability to identify the needs of the populations I serve the most.

What Inspired the work you’re doing?

Having been a foster kid in my own state and then later a foster parent and social worker, I have experienced many aspects of trauma, hardships, and healing. I have learned how challenging it is to both live in homes of and work with people who struggle with their own trauma, self-worth, and mental wellness. But, in my own journey through foster care, I also learned of the substantial impact that little moments of influence can have on my life. I remember how being a smelly, needy, bad reputation child that was still told by the people at my church that they were glad I was there. That mattered. I remember getting extra food at school. That mattered. I remember the neighbor sharing juices with me. That mattered. Those experiences inspired me to always work in a field that reminders others how not only they do they as a person matter, but so do their efforts!

What is your biggest passion? Do you feel like you're living your passion and purpose?

My biggest passion is to help others. In a more detailed way, it is to help others find hope in themselves and their lives. I have learned over the years that I can do that in a faucet of ways, such as speaking, writing, taking action, etc. Nonethless, as long as I am helping a person find hope for themselves or their work in the path to “better” then my actions are in turn with my purpose and passion.

What is your joy blueprint? What lights you up, brings you joy, and makes you feel the most alive?

My joy blueprint is in speaking. I love to write, talk, work, etc but when I get to speak to people, churches, youth, organizations, I feel my purpose in action. I love being able to share hope in words through humor, knowledge and experience. When I was 21 years of age, I had brain surgery due to child abuse. For a good year plus of my life, I had zero to limited ability to speak. Now, I share it as a gift and joy. But more than that, I testimony of how we are equipped to face challenges and come out stronger, successful, survivors of trials!

How do you live intentionally? Are there tools/resources/practices that you rely on to help you stay mindful and grounded?

I see every day as an opportunity of influence. Big or small. Scheduled or freelance. I feel every moment is one of impact. Sometimes I find that person of influence to be myself. I am an advocate for self-care and self-reflection. I believe that setting limits and boundaries myself is essential in sharing that skill with those I influence. With a high portion of people being influenced most by behaviors, I challenge myself to mindful of MY behaviors matching my message to others. Thankfully, writing is a tool in itself for me but so is listening to Christian music, enjoying a beautiful sunset, and watching Wheel of Fortune.

What would your younger self think about what you're doing now?

The younger version of myself would be admiring who I am today.  I feel like the younger me would be her own worst critic and created barriers and unrealistic expectations far higher and stronger than needed.  Thus, in what I do now, I think younger me would pat me on the back and say “I am so proud of you.”   The heart to bring hope to others in one I have carried for as long as I can remember.

Do you have a go-to mantra or affirmation?

The motto I carry for myself and my work is “Life is tough, BUT so are you!”

What is your biggest dream?

In some aspect, I think my biggest dream entails what I do now. I touch lives in ways that can bring hope and value to people. In context of my biggest dream, I think it would be to do more of that in larger, more influential ways. For people to hold joy, have self-worth, and find hope in the biological, psychological, emotional, social, and spiritual parts of their loves----what an amazing world it would be!

To connect with Amber and learn more visit her website www.amberjewell.org and on Facebook @amberjewellhope Instagram @ajewellspeaker Linkedin: Amber Jewell, LMSW and www.successfulsurvivors.org and via email amberjewellspeaks@gmail.com

Joy Corner is an interview-style blog series brought to you by Seek The Joy Podcast. Our mission continues to be a desire to share your stories, truths, joys and inspiration in your words. We invite you to join our corner, and share your joys, passions, and moments of inspiration as we continue to seek the joy, together. Join this series here