Triumph Staff
Brooke Stephens
Executive Director
Brooke Stephens brings a true passion for supporting individuals with disabilities to have the same opportunities as their peers. After earning her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Auburn University, Brooke began work in disabilities in the Office of Intervention and Prevention at Sparks Clinics in 1996. This early work led to a position as a Case Manager for the local Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities Health Care Authority. During this time, Brooke completed the coursework toward a Master’s Degree in Agency Counseling from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Following Case Management, she coordinated the Respite and Behavior Management Programs and later the Supported Employment Program at Glenwood, Inc.
In October 2006, Brooke began working at the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s Lifelong Coordination Clinic with two main goals: to assist individuals in finding and keeping a job and to educate the public on the benefits of working with people who have a disability. When this Clinic closed in July 2007, Brooke and another colleague founded Triumph Services, which opened August 1, 2007. When Triumph began, services were provided for the sixteen individuals who had received support through the Lifelong Coordination Clinic. Triumph has grown rapidly since its opening, currently supporting more than 50 individuals in developing and achieving their goals for independence.
In addition to her professional experience, Brooke has a seven year-old nephew, Luke, who was diagnosed with Autism five years ago. Understanding how Luke’s disability affects the entire family has been as valuable as any other professional experience. As the Executive Director of Triumph Services, Brooke strives to assist individuals with disabilities to become active members in their communities and to decrease societal stereotypes.
Leigh Belcher, MS, LPC
Director of Clinical Services
Leigh Belcher is a Licensed Therapist who has been involved in the mental health field for the last fifteen years. Through her educational and professional experience, Leigh brings a unique approach to therapy that has proven to be extremely successful for individuals who have developmental disabilities. Leigh’s experience in undergraduate school led her to pursue a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Development and Family Studies from Samford University. After graduating in 1997, Leigh moved to Atlanta, Georgia, and began pursuing her graduate degree in Counseling. While in graduate school, she gained professional experience by working with soldiers and their families at Fort McPherson. After completing her Master’s of Science in Counseling in 1999, Leigh returned to Birmingham to begin her professional career.
Leigh had the privilege of beginning her career with Glenwood, Inc. Through this position, she developed a passion for working with individuals who have developmental disabilities. Leigh worked in different roles with varying populations at Glenwood, including work with children and adolescents with emotional and behavioral problems. It was through this experience that she began her cognitive behavioral approach that she currently practices with individuals who have developmental disabilities, specifically Autism Spectrum Disorders.
After eight years at Glenwood, Leigh opened a private practice where she provides individual and group therapy for individuals involved with the Alabama Department of Human Resources and varying other referral sources. Triumph approached Leigh in July 2007 to be a Contract Therapist. Her approach with the individuals Triumph supports was so successful that Leigh joined the Triumph Staff in January 2009 as the Director of Clinical Services.
Leigh resides in Birmingham, Alabama. She enjoys reading, shopping, spending time with her family and friends, and being outdoors.
Jessica Ballard
Life Coach
Jessica Ballard received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology and Human Development from the University of Alabama in 2004. While pursuing her degree, Jessica worked as an Undergraduate Research Assistant where she collected and analyzed sociometric and research data in the Lochman Lab.
Ready to begin working directly with individuals in need of support, Jessica became a Child Care Worker at the Crisis Behavior Unit of Glenwood, Inc., the Autism and Behavioral Health Center of Alabama. She advanced to the role of Senior Child Care Worker with Glenwood, while expanding her skills working as a part-time Behavioral Specialist with Dancy and Associates, LLC.
In March 2008, Jessica was invited to join the Triumph Team, where she works as a Life Coach, supporting individuals in their efforts to live independently and assisting individuals to learn strategies to achieve their goals.
Jessica resides in Birmingham, Alabama, and is engaged to be married. She is mom to Bo, Buddy, and Sissy, her pets. Jessica loves the outdoors, reading, going out to eat, watching movies, shopping, and spending time with her family and friends.
Wes Charles
Vocational Specialist
Wes Charles has always felt a calling to help others. He attended the University of South Alabama from 1995-1999, where he received a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and Philosophy. In college where Wes had his first opportunity to work with individuals who have Autism. Following graduation, his interest in helping others led Wes to Glenwood, Inc., where he worked with adolescents with emotional and behavioral problems.
Wes joined the Triumph Team in October 2008, where he currently works as a Vocational Specialist. In this position, Wes spends a great deal of time getting to know each Triumph participant and assisting him/her in developing career goals. He then goes into the community and builds relationships with employers to help each person achieve goals and establish meaningful careers.
Wes is 31 years-old and resides in Birmingham, Alabama. He enjoys canoeing, video games, and reading. He also has a wonderful fiancée who will become his wife at the end of June 2009.
Connie Birdsong
Life Coach
Connie Birdsong graduated from Auburn University with a B.S. in Education and has continued inpost-graduate work in Special Education at Auburn.
Connie has worked in the mental health field for the past 28 years. Her career began at a transitional home for individuals who have mental illness and were moving form state mental hospitals to the community. Connie then relocated to Birmingham and assumed a similar position at JBS Mental Health Authority, where she worked for 16 years. She is currently working for Glenwood, Inc., where she provides support to adults who have Autism. Connie joined Triumph in January 2008 as a part-time Life Coach. She assists individuals in developing and achieving goals related to money management, apartment/home management, socialization, and healthy decision-making.
Connie has been involved with the Girl Scouts for over 30 years. She has also been active with AIDS outreach through her church. Connie enjoys gardening, being outdoors, shopping, and spending time with her family and friends. She is the proud mother of two dogs, Cuddles and Casey, and a cat, Radar.
Chuck Duer, MS, LPC
Contract Therapist
Chuck Duer has worked in the field of mental health for 20 years. His interest in helping individuals and families began as a child when, throughout his formative years, he witnessed his parents welcome individuals with disabilities into their home and lives.
After earning a Bachelor’s Degree of science at Freed Hardeman University in 1988, he began his mental health career by working with children and adolescents in long-term residential care settings as a Direct Care Worker. In 1997, he earned a Master’s Degree in Agency Counseling from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. His career has included working at Glenwood, Inc., Hillcrest Behavioral Health and Triumph Services.
Chuck is married and has a teenage son. Outside of work he enjoys anything technological and is the “IT Expert” in the office.
Virginia Henry
Administrative Assistant
Virginia Henry is a recent graduate of Samford University, where she earned a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Exercise Science. During her undergraduate years, she was a Resident Assistant and gained of experience in helping settle roommate conflicts, assist is counseling, and plan activities for the on-campus community. She was also active in her sorority and helped in fund raising for their chosen philanthropy.
She was invited to join the team at Triumph in March of 2009 where she works as the Administrative Assistant. She has enjoyed getting to know and work with the staff and participants. Virginia is passionate about helping others and intends to pursue a career in physical therapy while continuing her employment at Triumph.
Virginia is originally from Memphis, TN, and has one younger sister. She has a cat named Daisy and loves animals. She runs in her free time as she is training for an upcoming marathon. She is active in her church and stays involved in the Graduates and Professionals (GAP) Sunday School Group. Her family and friends are a huge part of her life and she loves hanging out with them, shopping, watching movies, and meeting new people.