Uplifting Latino Leaders Scholarship

One thing I am fully passionate about is giving back to my community. Because I’m from The Bronx, financial struggles are not new to me. Being connected to my community allows me to understand that people need assistance and that I can be that help. This is why I began volunteering at food pantries whenever I had spare time. I have helped feed countless number of families for Thanksgiving and this was extremely valuable to me because it made me realize I am blessed and that there are many families who are struggling. I find it rather important to feed the hungry because it is a loving and judge free environment, one in which everyone feels connected and tells jokes/funny stories. It is this sense of comfort that urges me to want to continue volunteering at food pantries, whilst in college. Everyday, no matter where in the world, people struggle to eat and often skip meals in order to “make ends meet”. Unfortunately, this results in children stealing from local restaurants/stores and an increased crime rate in general. Because of this, it is vital that more food pantries are funded, in order to feed families and their children in need. Food pantries provide the needy with a “safe haven” and an opportunity to live worry free for a prolonged period of time. Despite the fact that I am not “in the same boat” as the families that come in, I know that I have touched many people's hearts throughout my volunteer work and brought a change to their lives. Furthermore, being able to provide meals to the needy, I learned a valuable lesson about my community: At the end of the day, humans are conventional and it doesn’t take much to put a smile on someone’s face. This is why I will continue to participate in food pantries throughout college, as I want to be the change in people’s lives. Expanding my efforts around different communities can be my next steps as I move forward in life. I would be able to connect and help many people around the world while making a change. Applying the same efforts I made in food pantries in New York, to the food pantries around the globe, will allow me to experience a different environment that also needs my help. I personally find this very important because I would be able to hear about other people’s lives and their history of growing up in their communities. I hope to provide knowledge and care to many people around the world and assure them that no matter what, life does get better. I want people to understand that their current situations are never final and they should not allow them to dictate what they can accomplish in the future. I believe that everybody, no matter their struggles, can accomplish anything, as long as they put their full body, mind, and soul into it. Striving for greatness, without letting anything get in the way, will allow people to reach any potential goals. This is the message I hope to express to everyone around the world.