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.

‘Addiction and mental health problems do not discriminate. They can happen to a lawyer, doctor, teacher – anyone.’

Wantagh

“My grandparents are from Ukraine, and they emigrated to Poland during World War II. I was born in Poland. Growing up, we spoke both Polish and Ukrainian, and I went to a Ukrainian school. When I was 10 years old, my father saw a flyer in a newspaper that said ‘Green Card Lottery,’ and we won! He and my mom moved here first, and later I came with my two siblings.

“Coming to the U.S. was different. In Poland, my grandmother would go outside to a well to get a bucket of water to boil for showers. That’s how we’d wash our hair at her home. I think that’s why I appreciate how much we have in this country.

“We continued our cultural traditions when we came to the U.S., like folk dancing, singing and cooking. The Ukrainian culture is beautiful; I’ve always been proud to be Ukrainian. My very first tattoo was of a tryzub, our national symbol.

“It wasn’t easy growing up feeling different from others. I had to adjust to a new culture, new language and new people. As a young teen, I had gone through a lot of trauma that I never discussed. It led me to start experimenting with different substances. It was the only way I knew how to cope with things at such a young age.

“I’ve had some run-ins with the law. Still, I managed to get my bachelor’s degree in visual communications and my master’s in education. I wasn’t your typical person in recovery, or the image of what people think that is. Because addiction and mental health problems do not discriminate. They can happen to a lawyer, doctor, teacher – anyone.

“That’s why today I make it my mission to help others, to spread hope, awareness and inspiration. The more we talk about and normalize our struggles, the more we can inspire change.

“I got certified and now work as a senior recovery outreach specialist on a mobile recovery unit. It’s a big RV that’s an extension of the clinic, providing therapy, medication, vocational and educational counseling and more. We break down all barriers. If you can’t get to a meeting or to rehab, we will get you there. If you need housing, we’ll advocate on your behalf. Some days we go to Eisenhower Park and see clients there. Other days we’re at probation doing outreach and Narcan trainings.

I choose to recover out loud for those still suffering in silence, like I once had.

“November 20, 2017, was the day my life changed forever. I got the date XI.XX.XVII tattooed permanently into my skin. It holds more significance to me than any other day. It allows me to celebrate my road to recovery, my struggles and my triumphs. It symbolizes hope and inspires others.

“I went back to school and got certified as an addiction recovery coach and peer supervisor, and I got my counselor. I got my family and friends back. I’m now living life to the fullest. I even started a clothing brand called Dear Recovery, which combines my two passions: my graphic design skills and my story of hope. One shirt says, ‘We are all healing’ and ‘I stand for recovery.’ Another says, ‘No more stigma, let’s start a conversation.’ I’ve had people come up to me when I’m wearing one of my shirts and ask how to get help for themselves or their kids.

“I wanted to develop a platform free of judgment where people can connect and find support. I wanted it to be a conversation starter, the doorway to have those tough discussions, to normalize as a society talking about ways we can help each other. The site provides a free resource page where people can find different resources and support. My end goal is to raise funds from the clothing and donations to provide a percentage to those that cannot afford therapy or treatment.

“I now run a support group at the Nassau County Jail on a weekly basis. I share my experience, strength and hope with the women there. I also go into different high schools throughout Long Island to educate and share my story with the kids. My mission is to normalize recovery, to normalize talking about our struggles. So many kids are suffering in silence, dealing with depression and anxiety. I also do Narcan trainings in the schools now.

“I want to destigmatize mental health and bring more awareness to it. Mental health is just as important as any other health diagnosis. I want to show the world that you don’t have to be ashamed because of a mental health diagnosis or your addiction. I am living proof that recovery is possible. Today, I am the face of hope, and I choose to recover out loud for those still suffering in silence, like I once had.”

‘Never let a disability get you down. You can do anything you set your mind to.’

Wantagh

“I was born with cerebral palsy. When I was very little, I had to be confined to a wheelchair because it was very difficult to walk. I have certain challenges. I was made fun of when I was younger. I was teased and picked on because of my disability. But cerebral palsy doesn’t stop me from being me.

“Now I’m a volunteer for many different organizations across Long Island. I was recognized by the Town of Hempstead with the Make A Difference Award in 2014 for what I have done and achieved.

We must all learn and become aware of people’s needs and treat everyone equally and with respect.

“I have recently started to advocate for the J-1 visa program, which allows foreign students to come to the U.S. to work with special needs young adults and then go to school to study special ed.

“I have also worked for the Marty Lyons Foundation, which, like Make-A-Wish, grants wishes to special children. I have to make sure that when the child comes to New York, everything is in place for their wish and stay.

“As a Make-A-Wish alumnus, I see the importance in helping others. This past year, I raised over $6,000 for the AHRC Foundation at their annual walkathon. It made me feel very special and proud that I accomplished that goal because it was not easy to do.

“The walkathon was one of my proudest moments because I didn’t even know I raised that much money until that morning. Everybody congratulated me, and it was just such a great moment! I’m also big into sports. I play baseball with the League of Yes. It’s a special needs league for kids with disabilities. I play wheelchair lacrosse for Garden City.

“It’s a challenger division because everyone has special needs. I do a lacrosse tournament every summer in Massapequa called Shootout for Soldiers, and I’m the only one in a wheelchair that plays in that game. Everyone else walks. So, to me it’s very special. I want everyone to know that people with special needs, especially the ones who use a wheelchair like me, need to be heard.

“We must all learn and become aware of people’s needs and treat everyone equally and with respect. I think that it’s very important that everybody understands my story. Never let a disability get you down. You can do anything you set your mind to. Nothing will stop me, not even a wheelchair.”

Interviewed by Jay Max

‘It’s great seeing something tangible come up from the ground to help put people into homes and growing communities.’

Andres Baena, Wantagh

“I never had a focus in high school or college. There was never something I wanted to do. I knew I needed money and wanted some sort of stability for myself before I pursued my passions. I ended up becoming a real estate agent in Queens. That got me familiar with learning and understanding the industry.

“My broker pushed me to go to law school. He saw that I had the hustle and ambition and got creative when needed. I ended up going to Touro and worked as hard as I could. I interned for the Town of Islip. From there, I ended up working for a village judge in Old Brookville. She then put me in touch with Beechwood, one of the largest residential developers on Long Island. That’s where it all really came together for me. I saw the realty process from soup to nuts.

“After three years, I said I needed to take the reins and do it on my own. That was in 2018, and I’ve been doing that ever since. I have a law practice and do mostly residential closings. I’m also a commercial broker.

“Eventually, I want to get into the development space and grow out the practice. It’s stressful but absolutely worth it. It’s great seeing something tangible come up from the ground to help put people into homes and growing communities I’m a part of creating Long Island and that’s super rewarding.

My dream would be to have a project that I put up, and there might be a club on the first floor of that project where I’m playing and my friends, family and anyone else who wants to come can come enjoy the music. It will all come together.

“For fun, I DJ. That’s been my therapy. I go live on Facebook and Instagram every other weekend to have fun and play music to spread joy and love. I don’t pursue it professionally because of everything else going on, but for me, it’s a serious hobby. My go-to styles are funk, soul, disco, house and Latin. They’re genres meant to make you enjoy life and disconnect from all the problems of the world and have fun in the moment.

“I definitely plan on bringing my two worlds together. I enjoy the closings, the development, and also the music. My dream would be to have a project that I put up, and there might be a club on the first floor of that project where I’m playing and my friends, family and anyone else who wants to come can come enjoy the music. It will all come together.”

Interviewed by Rachel O’Brien – Morano

‘It’s so rewarding that 20 years after my first class, I still see my first students on calls helping people.’

Robert Mackay, Wantagh

“I am a retired New York City Police Department Sergeant and currently a Police Science/EMT instructor. I started with the NYPD in the 79 in Bedford-Stuyvesant, and then went to narcotics, was promoted to Detective, and then to Sergeant. At that time I did a tour in Internal Affairs (not by choice). Afterwards, I was assigned to a joint NYPD/FBI task force within the Organized Crime and Investigation Division. This was where I spent my last five years.

“With 9/11, we became terrorist investigators, eventually going back to drug enforcement. When I hit my 20th anniversary, I decided I was going to leave, but not until I had something to go to. I saw an ad in “Newsday” for a police science/EMT instructor and thought I might have the qualifications. They called me for an interview, and I thought that was the end of it— until I was called again and hired. I went to the Police Academy and said, ‘I’m retiring and teaching high school. What do you have for me to teach kids?’ They gave me their law curriculum so I had something to start because I didn’t know a lot about teaching. I had to go back to school to get an MA in education, so I was teaching part time and going to school.

I love when I’m teaching something that they don’t understand, I explain it a different way, maybe even a third way, and all of a sudden the light bulb goes on…

“As a teacher at Gerald R. Claps Career and Technical Center, I really like interacting with students. I love when I’m teaching something that they don’t understand, I explain it a different way, maybe even a third way, and all of a sudden the light bulb goes on-‘I got it!’

“I also work with the volunteer fire department in Wantagh and I encourage my students to volunteer as well. It’s so rewarding that 20 years after my first class, I still see my first students on calls helping people. Many of my students become EMTs. About 25 percent of my former students are cops, firemen, or EMS. It’s great when I see my students actually working and using something that I taught them. I have a few that I ride with regularly in an ambulance, and I just sit back and watch. I wouldn’t let them do anything wrong, of course. Some are certified as paramedics and they’re really making a difference out there.

“I’ve been very lucky my whole life. Who looks in the newspaper and finds a job that they love this much?”

‘My trip showed me that life doesn’t need to look so linear. I call it my pre-adult honeymoon.’

Wantagh

“I was in business school at NYU and decided to graduate a semester early. I had a ton of loans so starting work was the practical, realistic choice in what to do next. I had a job offer at an investment bank, but I decided to take a risk. I had always wanted to spend time in Australia and New Zealand, so I took my meager savings, bought a plane ticket, and decided to backpack for four months. It was a pivotal experience for me because it allowed me to see what happiness can look like in a variety of ways. I think I had always been exposed to the perspective of success in which you go to college, get a good job, get married, have kids, and get a house-the ‘American Dream.’ My trip showed me that life doesn’t need to look so linear. I call it my pre-adult honeymoon.

I also learned about being able to meet yourself where you are and understand that you’re capable of the things that others see in you too, as long as you keep staying committed to it.

“When I got to work a few months later I thought, ‘Is this what I worked so hard for and my parents sacrificed so much for? I’m not happy or fulfilled.’ I started writing a lot of random emails and journal entries. At 23, I put them in a blog called On Adulting. I questioned what it meant to be happy and less confused while figuring out how to grow up in a mindful way. The blog grew into something that I did not expect where tens of thousands of people around the world were reading it every day.

“When I was 27, I got an email from a publisher at Simon & Schuster and I thought that it was a joke. It said, ‘We love your writing, would you be interested in writing a book on this topic?’ I truly had a massive impostor syndrome moment where I thought that it was not real. Writing the book was a massive learning experience about expressing vulnerability. It was so much deeper than anything I had ever done because I was not getting feedback from my community as I was writing. I also learned about being able to meet yourself where you are and understand that you’re capable of the things that others see in you too, as long as you keep staying committed to it. I want people to know that they’re not alone. If they’re feeling confused, lost or unfulfilled, it’s totally within their power to shift that, but it does feel like a really lonely journey when you’re going through it.”