Stellar Staff February – Daniel Hunter

Daniel grew up in Fort Worth, Texas and stayed in the area for the first 30 years of his life. He loved the food and how close it was to his parents but got a bit tired of the 110-degree heat and lack of good hiking/camping spots, so 4 years ago, he made the decision to pack up and make the move to Alaska.

Daniel came to Community Connections in April 2024 after hearing many stories from families around Ketchikan about finding hope and healing at CC. He says, “The way CC meets kids “where they’re at”, especially in the school and Therapeutic Foster Care setting, aligns perfectly with the social work value of helping children stay in their home communities whenever possible. I had also heard amazing things about how Jordan uses games to engage children in therapeutic services. I knew I wanted to be at CC to learn and grow as a clinician.”

A part of being a Child & Family Therapist at CC that he enjoys the most is working with parents and children and seeing the direct, positive impact our work has on their lives. He loves working with and learning from a dedicated multidisciplinary team because everyone brings their own perspectives and expertise. He is constantly impressed by how talented, creative, and patient out direct service staff are with the kids and continues to learn from his coworkers every day which he finds very fulfilling.

One challenge that he faces in his position is trying to get kids signed up for recreational activities that have limited capacities and enrollment deadlines. He says, “I wish all of our clients could play on sports teams, participate in cultural activities and generally engage in more extracurriculars. I try to lean on people who have been in Ketchikan longer and know the ins-and-outs of the activities here.”

Daniel’s program director says, “Daniel joined CC with a deep passion for supporting families and creating individualized care plans. He has become an invaluable asset to the team, always willing to lend a hand whenever needed. His reliable, calm, and deeply authentic nature has a positive impact on everyone around him. We are so grateful to have him on our team!

In his free time, Daniel enjoys hiking, rain or shine, with his dog, Jeff. They enjoy hiking Connell Lake Trail and many of the other beautiful hiking trails and beaches on the island. He says, “Spending time in the Tongass forest with my dog and a cup of coffee is my “happy place”.” Daniel is also a music-guy! He enjoys tinkering with guitars, guitar pedals, and playing the drums.

Thank you, Daniel, for joining our team at CC. We are lucky to have you!

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