By Terra Avilla
Sometimes I have mild difficulty finding the words to describe the people, places and things that I love so much about our community. Then there are the weeks where my article practically writes itself, because the subject of my feature is just that robust. This week, as soon I choose Lisa Bernard, the article pretty much wrote itself. She is that wonderful.
I cannot remember the exact moment I met Lisa. While I have lived and worked here, I have just always thought of her as my friend. My funny, talented, kind hearted friend.
Last week, I stopped by her office at the Lassen County Sheriff’s Office, where she works as a youth officer to visit her and the other YSO’s. Lisa has a plethora of talents, and most definitely she found one of her niches when it comes to dealing with kids.
Not only is she a great role model for our youth, she has an innate ability to relate to them, connect with them and mentor them in a manner that they can tell is genuine.
The work and connections that Lisa makes with our youth is the real deal. I can promise you that.
As a matter of fact, as I was in her office, we spoke about past youth that have passed through her life skills program and how they still reach out to her and keep in touch. She made a life-long impact on them. She is a true gift to that program.
Lucky for us a community though, Lisa is not stingy with her talents and gifts.
Lisa dedicates her time to Best of Broadway, tutoring youth and adults alike in theater. She dedicated hundreds of hours to bring that show to life. She loves that production, and anyone involved in the production loves her.
When she isn’t out encouraging the youth, she can be found encouraging her church community through worship. Lisa is an astronomically talented singer, who volunteers in her church’s choir so that the congregation can help celebrate with style every Sunday.
Lisa also participates in the annual Courage Triathlon. One year I was lucky enough to be on her team, and man oh man, she kicked butt at the kayak portion. Like – may or may not have carried the team – because she was so great.
If you know her, you know that she is the absolute real deal. She is genuine in what she says, tries her best to help others that need it and wants to make a difference.
I could go on and on about all of the things she does, from volunteering with, like, almost every non-profit in this town, to just being a reliable good friend, who exudes joy and love. Cause that’s what she is guys – she is a bright light in our community, and we are so lucky to have her.
My little Lisa, one of the reasons I love the place we live.
