06/09/2022
Hello all! My name is Marie.
While we await the beginning of construction of the Café I would love to take this time and tell you a little about myself and why the Mountain Mommas family friendly branding and Café vision means so much to me. Because let’s be honest, it isn’t often we get a chance to talk ourselves up to a wide and varied group of people, especially once we become parents and want to spend our time gushing over our kids and the amazing things they do while learning to make good choices and be good humans!
Mountain Mommas Café is truly the culmination of my varied life experiences and broad coursework. It really is a dream come true.
My life experience has been beyond varied, but is actually an asset on multiple levels for the café vision.
I first obtained Red Cross Safe Sitter Coursework in Reston, VA at the age of 13 to start PRN babysitting employment which expanded to Executive Nannying, Medical Needs Nannying, Household Management, and High Risk Security Needs Nannying. This employment continues to this day.
I then completed High School Principals of Business and Marketing Coursework with
FBLA membership and competition attendance in Pittsburgh, PA. I obtained first place for sales in class.
I also took High school Medical Technology coursework with HOSA membership and competition in Hampton Roads, VA with high placement in the Medical Terminology competition.
During my high school years I also attended the William and Mary Summer Sports Medicine program due to being an athletic training student aide, was a Varsity Gymnast, attained a 98th percentile SAT score of 1420/1600, and graduated with an Advanced Studies Diploma in the Health Sciences 2004.
I became an Operational Volunteer with the Fairfax County Police Department at the age of 16 until 21 via the Explorer Program attaining the rank of Lieutenant. I was a Heavy community presence at community policing events which encouraged organic interaction between the police department and the community as a whole but especially marginalized individuals within the community, I regularly went on ride-alongs with various divisions to include Patrol and the Helicopter Division, and I also had frequent community presence attaining donations for program fundraising. I attained a Top Ten Percent in the nation placement in Hostage Negotiations at the NLEEP Competition in Flagstaff, AZ. I received a Commendation by Col. Dave Rohrer - Fairfax County Chief of Police due to my community presence. After Chief Rohrer’s strong urging that I apply, I was also one of 25 in the nation selected to attend the US Army Military Police Explorer Academy in Fort Leonard Wood,MO - and subsequently one of 20/25 to successfully graduate the program.
Next, in 2005, I became an Operational Member of the Dunn Loring Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department in Fairfax County VA. I became an ALS provider, was recipient of multiple commendations from multiple agencies, was EMT of the year, Head of HR, and a Board Member. I completed coursework in numerous areas to include International Trauma Life Support, Pediatric Advanced Life Support, Advanced Cardiac Life Support, Special Populations, Infectious Control, Hazmat Awareness, and Weapons of Mass Destruction - Awareness level.
Additionally, I have worked as a volunteer at the polls with certification to assist those with extra needs with course materials related to ensuring marginalized communities were supported and assisted during the voting process to ensure all voices within the community were heard.
My college coursework included time at the NVCC Criminal Justice Program and at George Mason University along with Completion of EMT-I Medic coursework, Northern Virginia Community College, with a 3.85 GPA.
My Employment outside of the childcare field has included various ground transport agencies including Lifecare Medical Transport as an ALS provider at the Critical Care Medic level utilizing advanced support equipment to include LTV-1200 vent, multiple IV pumps such as MTP pumps, and usage of Lifepak 15 cardiac monitor.
I was an Environmental and Clean energy Inaugural Ball Attendee under the Obama administration in Washington, DC.
I am a vacation rental homeowner and cohost via multi-platform listing and management to include listing on Airbnb and VRBO, also under the Mountain Mommas branding of family friendly properties aimed at making traveling especially with littles or those with extra needs as easy as possible.
I have volunteered in a variety of capacities in my community outside of emergency services to include as Committee Member of the Tyler’s Teddies 5k fundraiser supporting Kids in Danger a non profit focused on removing dangerous child products from the market. I have helped with the DC Buddy walk for Down Syndrome, volunteered at homeless shelters in DC, and also am an advocate for child car seat safety and intend to get my CPST certification when time allows. Additionally, due to my own childrens extra needs I am an advocate for other parents of children with extra needs helping encourage them to press their schools to provide applicable 504/IEP services. I am also a Vacation Homeowner advocate to other Short Term Rental Owners in the area of common sense reform to maintain a symbiotic relationship within the community such as the rent responsibly and stay neighborly movements. I will be discussing forming a short term rental ordinance that protects the community from problem rentals while allowing an infusion of travel to the area and rehabilitation of empty properties with Fountain Hills Zoning officer this fall.
In short, I have extensive background knowledge and experience related to childcare and children with extra needs, and also have extensive experience connecting members of the community especially marginalized members within it to the emergency services members who serve them to enact positive change in community based interactions. My experience as an advocate and voice within the community for others is extensive. I hope to utilize this knowledge and experience to truly serve the community of Fountain Hill and allow it to be a place where a melting pot of individuals can come together over a cup of coffee (or tea for the non coffee drinkers out there) and get to know each other just a little better. This falls within our Doing Well by Doing Good vision.
Let’s Shoot for the Moon together, for even if we miss we will still land amongst the Stars.
Do Well by Doing Good,
Yours truly,
Marie Myers
Mountain Mommas Café
Co-Owner,
Lead Designer,
Head of Marketing.
Short Term Rental Host.
Advocate.
Forever and Always,
Mason and Allie’s Mom.
