sonia baxley.

Spouse & Family Support Facilitator: Community & Wellness Outreach.

Certified First Responder Supporter, Former EMT, Firefighter Spouse, Mother, First Responder Family Advocate

For more than 22 years, I have been married to a firefighter. And while I wouldn't trade our life for anything, I know firsthand that being part of a first responder family isn't always easy. The sacrifices, the unpredictable schedules, the emotional weight, and the challenges that follow our loved ones home are real. But so is the love, the pride, and the incredible community that comes with this life.

Before becoming a full-time school health office professional, I spent more than a decade working as an EMT in emergency departments and urgent care settings. I've experienced the heartbreak, exhaustion, and emotional toll of emergency medicine. I've also experienced what it means to come home from those moments and step right back into being a wife and mother.

For the past 13 years, I've managed the health office of an elementary school, caring for more than 750 children and supporting their families and staff. Whether someone needs medical attention, a listening ear, a hug, or simply a safe place to land, I've always believed that when someone reaches out, it's because they need something. And sometimes, just being there makes all the difference.

My passion for supporting first responder families comes from living this life myself. I understand that the job doesn't just affect the person wearing the uniform. It affects the spouses, partners, children, and people who love them. Our families carry their own challenges, and they deserve connection, understanding, and support along the way.

At Elevate, my heart is in creating a space where first responder spouses and families feel seen, heard, and understood. A place to connect, share experiences, build resilience, and remember that they don't have to navigate this life alone.

Because getting our first responders home alive matters. But helping them and the people who love them truly live when they get there? That matters just as much.