Jackie Wallen, MA, LCPC

Jackie Wallen is the Associate Vice President of School & Family Services at Volunteers of America Alaska.  She earned degrees from Cedarville University, OH and Chicago State University, IL. Prior to VOA Alaska, she and her husband, Joel, served at Youth Crossroads for 11 years.  She initially came to YC as a clinical intern; then was hired as a crisis counselor; a few months later helped to start the school-based counseling program at Morton Freshman Center; later moved on to start the school-based counseling site at Morton West; and eventually became the Associate Director of Counseling Services.  During her tenure at Youth Crossroads, she found great joy in supporting youth, supervising staff/ interns, and advocating for change through her roles on the Cicero Youth Task Force/Cicero Community Collaborative and the Department Clinician at Cicero and Maywood Police Departments.  She worked closely with community partners to train youth serving institutions in trauma informed care and the impact of vicarious trauma on helpers.  She frequently finds herself in the role bridge builder—finding great meaning in helping marginalized individuals/groups and systems work together for the betterment of all.  When she is not working, Jackie loves exploring the world (and playing baseball) with her family: Joel, Justus (age 12) and Deacon (age 10).