Tess Leathers,

• ASW

Tess lives in California for the terrain, climate, and the people. She grew up in Northern California and attended Sonoma State University, receiving her bachelor’s degree in psychology in 2004. She moved to San Diego and began a career in the natural food industry as a way to incorporate wellness and a profession interacting with people. It was during these years of customer service that Tess felt a calling to give back to the community and spent weekends volunteering with foster youth and families in need of support. Tess learned that social work was a profession that could satisfy her goals of incorporating mental, physical, and environmental health in a holistic way, which led her to pursue her master’s degree from California State University San Marcos in 2021.

Tess has experience as a community case manager and mental health therapist with adolescents and adults. She interned with Mending Matters before becoming an employee and is looking forward to continuing to work alongside a supportive and creative team. Tess hopes to bring her genuine and compassionate spirit to the youth served through Mending Matters programs and provide them the space to be heard and empowered. She understands the importance of making healthy connections in life and within the school setting during the formative years for the youth served and is excited to begin this next career path.

In her free time Tess enjoys being in nature, soaking up some San Diego sunshine, swimming, baking, and experimenting with new vegetarian recipes.