My name is Amy Moes. I am a daughter, sister, mother, friend, educator, and advocate. I graduated from St. Ambrose University in 2004 with my Bachelor's in Early Childhood Education and moved across the country with my four-year-old son and dog. I began my teaching career in Texas and continued to grow and learn how to support children in their learning process. In 2013 I graduated with my Masters's in Education and Educational Diagnostician certification. After that, I began working in the area of assessment and identifying children who were suspected of having learning disabilities. It had been a pleasure to provide guidance for the families, teachers, and staff who support them. My learning journey provided me with the opportunity to be a Special Education Director for a charter school and have spent the last 3 years working hard to implement a program that supports our scholars, teachers, and families in their educational journey. Most recently I’ve taken on a position in another school district still continuing my work of supporting children and their families.



I have accomplished these endeavors while raising my beautiful children (22 and 14) and caring for our home and pets. While I am proud of these accomplishments I have also been supported by many beautiful strong humans (especially women)to reach my goals. It definitely takes the support of a village.



I enjoy spending my time with family, writing poetry, being active and of course relaxing at the beach. I’ve run several half marathons and am an avid kickboxer. I believe God lives in everything and we carry His/Her spirit within us. Two of the places I feel closest to God are when I’m running and anytime I’m near the ocean. God’s miracles never cease and I know I am one of them ❤️

Two of the hardest life events I’ve had to endure were the loss of my oldest daughter (23 years ago)and the loss of my mother (recently). Grief is a very real and difficult emotion to carry however I am reminded within this process that these women were two of my greatest blessings and a source of immeasurable love. It is knowing and loving them I have continued to advocate for and support women and children throughout my life’s work thus far.



I am grateful for each sunrise, the sun on my skin, and each opportunity to be a little better than I was the day before.



Thank you for allowing me to share my story 🦋

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Zach Mlekush (he/him) is a 23-year-old, undergraduate student from Rock Island, IL studying Theatre Production, Design, & Technology at Illinois State University focusing on Stage Management. As a Stage Manager, Zach’s number one priority is keeping the rehearsal room fun & enjoyable, while also creating a safe space for the performers to create their art. As a human, he is trying to find a healthy balance of work & life, and continuing to be the best version of himself (and dog dad to his corgi Lemon). Additionally, Zach is guiding himself (with the help of therapy of course) through the challenges of overcoming huge amounts of grief and learning what that means.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit happyurhere.substack.com

Topher Elliott is a 19-year-old singer-songwriter, artist, and activist currently residing in Iowa. As a person, they love to get real, in life and in his music. He appreciates all music but with their own, and hopes to bring a new, authentic, and raw edge. He loves nature and animals, especially his cat Jasper, but when it comes to helping others well they like to help people. They are beyond looking forward to opening up and sharing a little of his story today, hoping that this can help to educate some or help others feel less alone. Make music, make peace, and make love.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit happyurhere.substack.com

Meet Eddie Smith, a Father’s Right Activist who wants to see change not only in the community of Fathers but the community of all people. As he shares his story and thoughts on how change should be, he encourages the next generation to follow their God-given dreams despite the odds against them. He’s only here to inspire all to resurrect their dreams.

Follow his journey on IG (@innovatorsmith_)

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Greta Long (she/her) is a 23-year-old adoptee from Romania who was raised in the Quad Cities. A graduate of Moline High School and Illinois State University, she is now studying at Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary pursing a Masters in Pastoral Care and Clinical Counseling with plans to work as a licensed clinical professional counselor in the state of Illinois. Having been raised in the church, Greta intimately understands the need for mental health advocacy and inclusive space in the church today. Greta actively works as the Youth Ministry Director at a Methodist Church in Pekin, IL and hopes to work alongside churches in the future to advocate for and provide quality mental health care to congregations in central Illinois. Greta would like to thank her cat, Willow for all the emotional support she’s provided throughout Greta’s undergrad and graduate journey, her loving boyfriend Nick for his support and encouragement, and her incredible friends for being the world’s best cheerleaders and confidants!



Follow along on her journey through IG! @greta_long

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Joseph “Henny” Harrison is from NY and has been living in Jersey for eight years. One of six kids and also the youngest. He worked in finance & banking up until he developed an unexpected talent for the camera. This talent has led him to pursue an industry he never imagined. Because he developed this talent and voice he didn’t know he had, he is able to make people laugh, create relatable content for my peers, and spread love to those around him. In addition to being a full-time content creator and influencer, he has become a working actor and working on perfecting that craft. It’s a new love he never knew he had.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit happyurhere.substack.com

Ellie Villa-Wilson (she/her), is the College Success Associate at Enroot, a non-profit organization located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, that works with immigrant youth. She is passionate about helping students and their families navigate the post-secondary planning process and recently launched her own college admission and financial aid consulting business called The Post Secondary Collaborative. At birth Ellie was adopted and grew up in a small college town in New Hampshire. After years of curiosity about where she came from, her ancestry, and heritage, Ellie identified and met her biological father at age 31 - turning her world upside down. As a survivor of sexual violence and exploitation, Ellie is passionate about advocating for social justice, human rights, and sexual & reproductive freedom. She believes in the power of storytelling and community when it comes to overcoming adversity and trauma.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit happyurhere.substack.com

Isaiah (Zay) William (he/him), originally from Louisville Kentucky, graduated from Rock Island High school in 2014 and attended college at Blackhawk College in 2015 to study art and design. He is an artist, designer, poet, actor, and dancer. He is inspired by the world around him and the people that make it better! Zay’s goal is to have his own warehouse and storefront to manufacture his products and art while running his business in the same building. His goal is also to act and be in major motion picture films. Zay hopes to inspire young people and older to be creative and follow their dreams; to not just work harder but work smarter to reach their full potential and give back while doing so.



Check out his website: https://zaycreatives.com/

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Steph (she/her) is a non-profit and performing arts professional, residing in the Quad Cities. Steph has spent the last 15 years choreographing, directing, teaching dance, and working at various schools and children’s theaters. Recently, she has changed career paths and works for Girl Scouts of Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois as a Community Outreach Manager, helping to bring Girl Scout programming and opportunities to girls who face barriers to joining a traditional troop.

A recovering workaholic, Steph is focused on finding joy in stillness and rest, learning how to say no, and taking time for the most important things- her fiancée Taylor, her three fur babies, and copious amounts of iced coffee.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit happyurhere.substack.com

Noel Jean Huntley (any pronouns) is an actor, singer, writer, musician, traveler, librarian, and friend. She is a recent graduate of Augustana College in Rock Island, IL with degrees in English and Theatre Performance.

Noel recently began working in public libraries, both in circulation and in reference. This work has opened her eyes to what miraculous resources public libraries can be, especially in terms of accessibility to information and essential materials. Two years ago she was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue syndrome, as well as with a handful of comorbidities. Because of this, she is also passionate about accessibility in physical, educational, and socioeconomic terms.

She hopes through telling her story that the listeners will remember that all of us can only

benefit from a more accessible world. And support your local Public Library! <3 :)

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit happyurhere.substack.com