Title: College Counselor
Company: United Friends of the Children
Location: Lancaster, California, United States
Joi L. Pinney, college counselor at United Friends of the Children, has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who Top Healthcare Professionals for dedication, achievements, and leadership in mental health.
With over 15 years of experience, Ms. Pinney has built a successful career in mental health, specializing in supporting foster youth. Since 2022, she has worked as a college counselor at United Friends of the Children, a nonprofit organization dedicated to closing educational gaps for foster youth. United Friends of the Children’s mission is to help foster youth graduate high school, pursue higher education, and achieve self-sufficiency, supported by community partnerships, donations, and grants. Her role involves assisting foster youth with educational planning, providing crisis intervention, and connecting them to vital community resources, addressing the unique challenges they face in pursuing their academic goals.
Ms. Pinney’s previous experience includes serving as a consumer service coordinator with NLACRC from 2015 to 2021 and as a children’s social worker with LA County from 2009 to 2015. She has also volunteered with the Department of Children and Family Services, where she gained practical experience working directly with vulnerable youth and families. She laid a strong educational foundation, earning an associate degree in letters, arts, and sciences from Antelope Valley College in 2004, followed by a bachelor’s degree in sociology from California State University, Northridge in 2007. She attributes her success to her personal journey and being inspired by her mother’s emphasis on academic achievement. This led her to have a deep commitment to education and a strong connection to her alma mater.
Reflecting on her path, Ms. Pinney takes pride in her work helping young people build self-confidence and realize their college aspirations, often supporting those who might not have seen higher education as an option. Flexibility has also been key to her success in a constantly evolving field, enabling her to adapt and find growth in challenging situations. She is currently considering returning to school for a master’s degree in counseling, aiming to work within educational settings to guide youth in career planning and future success. Though initially burnt out after her previous role, her current position has reignited her passion for youth counseling, giving her clarity on her goals and further fueling her dedication to making a difference in young lives.
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