Board Members

Catherine Berger, M.A., CRC

A Certified Rehabilitation Counselor, I am a master’s level practitioner with a national counseling certification that recognized me as a highly trained professional years of experience and competencies that enable me to assist high risk individuals, and people with disabilities live more productive and independent lives. For the past three years I have been assisting Veteran’s with disabilities obtain the necessary medical, mental health, and educational training necessary to prepare to enter the civilian workforce.

Master’s degree in Rehabilitation Counseling, She served on the City of Pomona in the development of a sustainable Volunteer Services pilot program that benefited the citizens of the city as well as the city budget. During her graduate field work Catherine, interned at a Research Facility at the University which led her being hired upon graduation as a Neurofeedback Clinician. She has been recognized by employer’s past and present as an exemplary role model.

Catherine is a well sought-after professional rehabilitation counselor.

It is with upmost enthusiasm that I express my appreciation for the opportunity to work with the Reaching New Heights Foundation.

As a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor, I am a master’s level practitioner with a national counseling certification that recognized me as a highly trained professional years of experience and competencies that enable me to assist high risk individuals, and people with disabilities live more productive and independent lives. For the past three years I have been assisting Veteran’s with disabilities obtain the necessary medical, mental health, and educational training necessary to prepare to enter the civilian workforce.

Prior to obtaining a master’s degree in counseling, I served the City of Pomona in the development of a sustainable Volunteer Services pilot program that benefited the citizens of the city as well as the city budget. During my graduate field work experiences I interned at a Research Facility at the University I attended which led to me being hired upon graduation as a Neurofeedback Clinician. I have been recognized by employers past and present as an exemplary employee. Yet when I look back at this, I realize that I couldn’t have achieved this on my own. I actually struggled throughout school. I had a difficult time comprehending material I read and took special classes up through community college. It took me over 8 years to earn my Associates degree because I had to take so many remedial classes, yet I maintained a 3.6 GPA all through school.

Although my education and work experiences are noteworthy, I can honestly say that the accomplishments that I am most proud of have been in the role of wife and mother. I have been married to my husband for 30 years and we have three grown children that are college educated and successful contributing citizens in our society. This was not an easy feat. As with most families, we have been through devastating trauma, illness, emotional upheavals, and death. During our families’ formative years, one of our children was stricken with a devastating illness that caused a brain injury. We were told by doctors and specialists that our child would never walk again. But we did not accept that as a final answer. We never gave up hope and vowed to make the best of the situation. We used all our resources, time, and love to help our child heal. This child overcame the illness, and last year went to Africa and climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro!

Through it all, we have been able to stay cohesive with the ability to love, forgive, and grow as individuals and as a family. We could not have done this without our faith and example of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ which has been our rock during tough times and our joy during triumph. My family and I seek to take our places in the world in order to be a living example of what we profess to believe. We do this by trying to be the best that we can be in any given situation with the characteristics of gratitude, love, empathy, and understanding for others.

I have seen firsthand the work that Reaching New Heights does for Veterans, and the hope this organization provides. I look forward to continuing my work with Veterans by helping them overcome obstacles and achieve a higher quality of life through mentorship, resources, and support services that Reaching New Heights Foundation offers. I am so happy to be a part of your team.

Sincerely,

Catherine Berger, M.A., CRC