Andrea "Drey" Bowen received education and training at Yale University Child Study Center in New Haven, Connecticut; Colorado School for Family Therapy in Aurora, Colorado; Florida State University in Tallahassee, Florida; Barry University in Miami Shores, Florida; and Trenton State College in Trenton, New Jersey. Andrea is a proud Panther, having graduated from East Orange High School in East Orange, New Jersey (now reestablished and renamed East Orange Campus High School in 2002), which is built and is physically on the grounds of the old Upsala College in Essex County, New Jersey. Andrea is a licensed clinical social worker and a certified family life educator. She is founder of Moving Onto Higher Ground, Inc., a faith-based business that seeks to provide a catalyst for positive change for children, individuals, families, and communities. Andrea seeks to inspire individuals in nontraditional forms, by incorporating dance, physical fitness, psychotherapy, and spirituality in her practice. Andrea focuses her attention on strengthening and empowering families (particularly military families) and helping them to become resilient, despite challenges and stressors. Andrea spends time out in Dothan, Alabama, an environment that was conducive to allowing the atmosphere of peace, reflection, and tranquility to begin this literary project. Andrea currently works with military families at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida, as the family advocacy outreach manager. When Andrea is not busy working her full-time position at MacDill, she finds time to support at-risk children and families in Hillsborough and Palm Beach County, Florida. Andrea travels extensively to provide hope and inspiration to youth, families, and corporate organizations nationally and internationally. Andrea takes pride in her humble beginnings, being raised in both a rural and urban lifestyle. She embraces her rich southern roots and the northern city and metropolitan lifestyle. Andrea was reared in a very supportive yet chaotic home environment with constant transitions, which inspired her to become a social worker and focus primarily on the prevention of family violence and developing programs to promote family self-sufficiency, economic stability, resiliency, and caregiver support. Andrea has traveled the country, training individuals on the importance of promoting child safety, parent-child bonding, and positive relationship building skills. In her down time, Andrea enjoys reading, taking photos, modeling, singing, acting, and spending time with her family and loved ones. Taking walks and communing with nature is one of her favorite activities. "Nature walks help me to focus, to energize and prepare for the day-to-day tasks. I use walking as a form of meditation for my life journey and purpose." Andrea enjoys plants and flowers and seeks comfort in decorating her home with one of God's most precious forms of nature-fresh cut flowers, especially roses and sunflowers. Andrea is a work in progress and attributes her success first and foremost to her spiritual Father; secondly, to excellent mentoring from educators, former professors, and her strong biological sisters, who role modeled tenacity and a strong work ethic; sisters of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc., who taught her the power of what it means to be a Sigma woman; and precious friends that she can count with one hand. Andrea says, "My mother recently admitted to me as an adult that 'you have always been different!' I now can truly appreciate that statement. I admit I believe I have a 'can do' spirit that is inextinguishable and I have learned to embrace what makes me unique."
