A Unique Special Needs Adult Individualized Skills and Socialization & Pre-Vocational Services Program in East Texas
Life Skills Socialization Self-Directed Goal Assistance Learning Recreation Community Connection
Betsy Freeman, Executive Director
Betsy began working with Achieving Dreams in March of 2023. She worked for Texas Health and Human Services Commission as a Human Resource Director and Hiring Specialist. Prior to this she worked at Trane for the General Counsel. She served as a board member and chair for the State Charitable Employee Committee with United Way. She received her Associates degree from TJC in Government and her Bachelors in Business Management from LeTourneau University. Additionally she received her certification in Non-profit Management. She is married and has a daughter and four grandchildren. She loves to cook. She enjoys family time on beach trips and lake events. She likes to RV travel. She has many deer, ducks, turtles, swans and other wildlife as her pets and provides deer feeders and bird feeders to her friendly guests.
Kristin Cotten, Program Manager
Kristin began working with Achieving Dreams in August of 2022 initially as a Program Specialist and accepted the role of Program Manager in September 2022. She was born in Seattle, Washington but moved to Texas at the age of three. She married her husband, Rick, in 1980 and has three grown children and also five grandchildren that she loves seeing as often as she can. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Texas at Tyler in Interdisciplinary Studies with specializations in Special Education and English. During her teaching career, she taught Special Education Resources classes, Life Skills, and then moved into general education. After 24 years of teaching, Kristin retired and later realized that she missed working with people with disabilities. She feels very blessed to have found this opportunity to work with our Achievers and the rest of the Achieving Dreams team. In her spare time, she enjoys reading and being on their farm in Chandler.
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Gayle Epperson, Program Coordinator
Gayle is pleased to have joined Achieving Dreams in July of 2022 as a Program Coordinator. Her role is primarily focused on working with the team at the recently launched Lindale satellite, though she also collaborates on outreach, development and service provision for the Tyler area. She is a recently retired teacher, formerly with Tyler Legacy High School, who expresses love for every minute having worked with her students. A busy lady, she also substitutes part-time. Previously, she was a Special Education teacher at Lindale High School and was blessed to have a couple of our Lindale Achievers in her English class. She has strong connections to both the Lindale and Tyler area which, along with her friendly personality, makes her a great fit for her role. She currently lives in Tyler with her daughter and "roommate" Chelsea, in a home they built in the fall of 2018. They happily share custody of their Miniature Aussie, Sophie, whom Chelsea rescued last December. Gayle also enjoys singing in the choir at her church, working part-time at the Tyler Civic Theatre Center in the box office, searching for unique items at Canton First Monday Trade Days, and loves weekend road trips to areas of interest. In her role, her goal is to help make the Lindale and Tyler Achieving Dreams programs grow and be the BEST they can be, and she will be reaching out to the community to help during the process! This will be done through our new Achieving Dreams Auxiliary Chapters. She's grateful to be able to work with the wonderful Achievers, and to be of service to the community. Upon expressing her feelings for the Achievers, she recently shared: "They’ve already made themselves a special place in my heart :-) ".
Joie Roblin, Program Specialist
Joie began working with Achieving Dreams in April of 2021. Born in Reno, Nevada, she became a Texan in the last 10 years. She fits in wonderfully with the rest of our team, as she is a cheerful gifted person with a diverse set of talents and experiences. With a Bachelor's Degree in Journalism and an associates degree in medical assistance, her work history includes being a medical assistant, a newspaper reporter/columnist, a costumed character for various companies, an author, a comedian and her first job was working with people with disabilities in a similar role, as she serves in today with us. She feels she has come full circle and truly loves working with everyone. As a caring and devoted daughter, she helps her aging mother which makes her part-time position ideal for her personally, as well. She is a warm-hearted, responsible and thoughtful person who provides stable, supportive skills for our busy day habilitation program.
Cindy Moore, Program Specialist
Cindi joined our team in June 2022 to primarily be a support to the Achievers and team for our new satellite location in Lindale. She brings a wealth of experience and a love for those we serve. Having retired from Andrews Center in Tyler, she already knew several program participants and their families which has enhanced transitions which are in process. In addition, her community involvement and work in Lindale has included Life Skills at the school and many years with the wonderful JOY ministries program with her church. So, she is thrilled to reconnect with prior students and their families and for the opportunity to make new friends. She has a Bachelors' Degree in Psychology, and an Associates in Theology which complements our mission perfectly. In addition to her service with us and with others, she enjoys creative projects including crafting and gardening, along with quality time with family and friends. The mission of Achieving Dreams will be further developed due to her talents, knowledge, wisdom and sincere warmth.
Kathy Moseley, Program Specialist
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Bio Pending
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Cheryl Johnson, Program Specialist
Bio and Photo Pending
