Faces of Long Island celebrates the uniqueness of everyday Long Islanders. In their own words, they tell us about their life experiences, challenges and triumphs. Newsday launched this social media journey into the human experience to shine a light on the diverse people of this wonderful place we call home.

‘There is just something magical about a sunrise and a sunset – they are both a beginning and an end.’

Carle Place

“I was in a bad motorcycle accident and almost lost my right leg on July 31, 2021. I had to go through several surgeries, and I was bedridden at one point for months at a time. I realized that at 50 years old, I hadn’t seen and done a lot of the things that I wanted to see and do. I made a promise to myself that I was going to explore different areas of Long Island.

“It wasn’t until November of 2022, after they took all the metal from the accident out of my leg, that I was able to start walking again without restrictions. In December, I started walking on beaches to rebuild my ankle and leg muscles. It wasn’t the prime time to be on the beach, but I found it was nice because I was pretty much by myself, and I wasn’t holding anyone else up if I had to go at a relatively slow pace.

There is a point in every single one where light touches darkness. They are mentally, physically and spiritually significant.

“I started walking during sunrises because I was up early from the pain, and that eventually turned into doing sunset walks because I found it so fascinating and spectacular. I thought, there have to be people out there in nursing homes or senior centers or the hospital who aren’t able to see these things, and I really have to start sharing these photos. I’m not a photographer, but I’ve become one by hobby. Everyone said when I was posting these pictures, I can’t believe that’s on Long Island. By sharing my photos, I felt like I was like paying it forward because, by the grace of God, I had made it out with both legs.

“I decided to start a Facebook group, Long Island NY Sunrises and Sunsets, in the very beginning of March. People post pictures from all over Long Island, and we’re now close to 1,700 members. Because of my accident, I had to slow down. It made me realize the beauty that is all around us. When we’re in the flow of things, it’s easy to forget that. It’s about sharing what I’m taking in because I don’t own it; it’s something that is all of ours but not everyone has the opportunity to take it in. There is just something magical about a sunrise and a sunset — they are both a beginning and an end. There is a point in every single one where light touches darkness. They are mentally, physically and spiritually significant. They remind me that each day is different, and every moment is temporary.”

‘People have met their partners there and they have brought their kids back.’

Carle Place

“I grew up in Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn until I was 18 and my parents moved us to Long Island, which was a little bit of a shock to the system. Every summer, I used to go to YMCA sleepaway camp as a kid. There weren’t too many black girls who were archery instructors and horseback riders. Camp was a refuge. I was painfully insecure in school, but at camp, I was leading the cheers and writing the skits for our night activities.

“I could be all of those things every summer when I went away to camp and I was celebrated for it, I wasn’t made fun of. I stayed involved through the YMCA leadership program and I’d do leadership training, volunteering, we’d have events. At 14, 15 years old, I’d attend their big fundraiser at the Waldorf Astoria. I was going in a gown and I learned how to build interpersonal skills just talking and schmoozing. I got offered a summer job and I was like, ‘Sorry, I’m going to camp.’ I became a junior counselor and counselor, but when I got to my senior year, I had to start adulting. I lost touch.

Last year we went to an alumni event and they told us they were closing one of the camps. And I was like, ‘I have to get involved.’ I got approved to the board in January and then COVID hit.

“I’m a middle school English teacher, a cheer coach, building lead for the union and I’m an investment advisor. I wrote my first book during lockdown. About five years ago, a friend pulled me back in and I started going to alumni events. She asked me to join the leadership and I was just too busy. Last year we went to an alumni event and they told us they were closing one of the camps. And I was like, ‘I have to get involved.’ I got approved to the board in January and then COVID hit.

“The YMCA of Greater New York has a massive deficit because of COVID, losing revenue from gym membership. There was no summer or day camp and we rebranded ourselves as summer rentals, where people can rent the cabins. We’re trying to do things to get more money and obviously donations are a big deal.

“The YMCA laid off thousands of people and it’s devastating considering how impactful the YMCA has been. People have met their partners there and they have brought their kids back. I still have friends from 25 years ago. My mentors are now my colleagues on the board and people I went to camp with are now running branches. We’ve got to do whatever it takes because we can’t lose camp.”

The person profiled here has been a guest on Newsday Live.