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Bernice Gordon-Young serves as a Peoria City Council At-Large Member since May 2023 and has extensive experience as a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor with the SMART Recovery Intervention Program since September 2018, facilitating counseling for incarcerated individuals. In January 2016, Bernice founded and currently presides over It Takes a Village-Peoria, an organization dedicated to supporting youth and their communities. Additionally, Bernice has been a SMART Coordinator since August 2002, providing counseling for at-risk individuals on parole or probation and conducting psychological evaluations. Past roles include being a Psychotherapist at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center from March 2007 to March 2022, a Telecommunicator for the City of Peoria from August 1994 to April 2012, and a Residential Counselor at Catholic Charities from January 1996 to December 2003. Academically, Bernice holds a Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision with a specialization in Forensic Mental Health from Walden University, a Master's degree in Community and Agency Counseling from Bradley University, and a Bachelor's degree in Speech Communications from Southern Illinois University.