‘I speak to women, to youth, to minorities. I love the fact I have access to knowledge where I can impact and change someone’s life.’

South Islip

“Growing up, there wasn’t a lot of empathy towards children. There was a lack of love. I became very depressed. I didn’t feel heard or valued. I would go to school and keep my head down and get amazing grades, but if there’s no positive reinforcement that kid loses self-esteem. A 100 on a test doesn’t mean anything if no one at home is proud of you. That left me feeling unwanted and unloved for a long time. In ninth grade, I got so depressed I wanted to end my life. I tried twice and it wasn’t until the second time when I was admitted to the hospital that they said they weren’t going to release me back to my parents.

“For all of 10th grade, I was in and out of different schools and group homes. I was placed permanently in a group home my 11th grade year and I was more focused than ever on not staying there for a long period of time. I just knew I had a bigger purpose than being in the system. I didn’t want to be stagnant and I knew if I graduated and attempted college or to work, I would have a better shot at some normalcy for my life.

The motivation to do all this came from myself. The little girl no one ever listened to, I always go back to that girl. I had so many ideas and goals for myself that no one paid attention to. It wasn’t important to anyone. I only had myself to lean on.

‘The first day of 11th grade, I walked into my guidance counselor’s office and asked how I could graduate by the time I turned 18. I went to school year-round. I did summer school, night school, and I graduated at 17. Now, I’m the neighborhood aide for the Office of Minority affairs with the county executive’s Department of Human Services. I focus on community outreach; I see what is lacking in the community and in minority areas. I speak to women, to youth, to minorities. I love the fact I have access to knowledge where I can impact and change someone’s life.

‘The motivation to do all this came from myself. The little girl no one ever listened to, I always go back to that girl. I had so many ideas and goals for myself that no one paid attention to. It wasn’t important to anyone. I only had myself to lean on. Even now, things are better, but it’s still my job to protect that little girl. When I’m faced with things, I won’t disappoint her. I pull up strength from the depths of my soul and get things done.”