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.

‘I encourage others to think about their talent. It doesn’t need to change the world, but it can make a difference.’

East Rockaway

“Growing up gay in the ’90s wasn’t always the most welcoming situation. It helped galvanize me to be a voice and make a difference in many different causes. I work in communications, and I’ve been lucky enough to support organizations fighting a range of issues like eating disorders, heart disease, infertility, domestic violence and ALS, to name a few. I’ve learned who I am through the situations that I’ve faced and what I’ve been able to contribute to, and I think making a difference for your community can not only inspire you, but also allow you to think about what more you can do.

“I’m the director of communications at Target ALS, but I also have a side of me that is for fun, where I am the Broadway correspondent for media outlets like NBC New York. When Broadway’s Rebecca Luker passed away of ALS, it was an opportunity for me to take both worlds and put them together for a great cause to produce a fund-raising show. It was an honor to put together “Becca.”

It’s interesting that my job has somehow influenced my time at church. It’s about the power of words and I’ve been able to see that power in myself as a talent that I am able to share with others.

“Charitable causes and Broadway may seem like they’re totally disconnected, but I believe that everybody has a talent that can make an impact. For me, that’s communications and revealing stories that matter. With Broadway, that can be helping people to pick a show that they can feel good about putting their money towards. In charitable causes, that can be revealing stories that will help influence people into making a donation.

“It’s all about helping to inspire positive actions. I’m a Lay Eucharistic Minister at my church and it’s the same situation. As part of my job as a communications professional, I do the readings at church and help them connect with people and inspire people to think differently about the passages they’re hearing. It has been incredibly rewarding for me and it’s interesting that my job has somehow influenced my time at church. It’s about the power of words and I’ve been able to see that power in myself as a talent that I am able to share with others.

“I encourage others to think about their talent. It doesn’t need to change the world, but it can make a difference. Finding that in yourself and sharing it with other people is such a rewarding experience and it’s part of what life is about.”

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Faces of Long Island is produced by Newsday Consumer Marketing. This content does not involve the reporting and editing staff of Newsday’s Editorial Department.