My name is Akira Gross, and I'm a 12th grader in toledo school for the Arts. And I definitely see myself in five years thriving and having a rewarding career in social work, where I can make a meaningful difference in the lives of children, teens, and adults. My passion for helping others is rooted in my own experiences. I have been through many ups and downs in life, which have taught me the importance of empathy, resilience, and hope. Because of this, I strive not only to support people in practical ways but also to genuinely put myself in their shoes, understanding their feelings and letting them know they are not alone. Throughout my journey, I have learned that everyone faces challenges, but those challenges do not define us or determine our future. My goal as a social worker is to help individuals see that no matter how difficult things may seem, there is always a path forward. I want to be the person who reminds them that they have a second chance—to rebuild, to heal, and to pursue a brighter tomorrow. I believe that everyone deserves compassion and support, and I am committed to providing that for the people I serve. In this role, I hope to create safe and nurturing spaces where children can grow confident in themselves, where teens feel empowered to make positive choices, and where adults are encouraged to rediscover their strength and self-worth. I aspire to advocate for those who may not have a voice, and to listen deeply so that each person feels heard, valued, and respected. My own experiences with hardship have shaped my perspective and reinforced my belief in the power of second chances. I know what it feels like to struggle, and I also know how transformative it can be to have someone believe in you. That is why I am so dedicated to this path—I want to be that source of support and encouragement for others. Through active listening, empathy, and advocacy, I aim to help people realize that their current situation is not their final place and that with support and determination, they can move toward a better future. Social work is not just a profession for me; it is a calling. I am motivated by the opportunity to walk alongside others in their journeys, helping them to see hope, embrace change, and believe in new possibilities.

My mother, Nicole Gross, is the person who has had the biggest impact on me. My mother has stepped up and filled in for absences in my life, most notably, the absence of my father. During COVID-19, my father left home; he said that he would be driving trucks and he would come home. Since the day he left, I have never again seen him physically. He left not only his daughter, but his loving wife as well. For months, I waited at the door on days that he was supposed to come back. Finally, I stopped waiting. This became an opportunity for my mother and I to strengthen our bond. Growing up, my mother and I were not close. Because my mother worked, I spent most of my time with my father. When I was younger, our bond was close. Now, his absence created a void in my life. I felt lost and lonely without him. I remember sitting on my parents’ bed on my dad's side, waiting for him to come back home. My mother’s heart broke for me as she watched me wait for something I would never have again, for a day that would never come. At this point, my mother realized that she had to fill the role of both parents. She channeled all the frustration and sadness into helping me grow and heal from this loss. At the end of the COVID-19 lockdown, I entered my freshman year of high school. I sat down with my mother to express my feelings about everything that had happened. After this, she's been the best she could ever be, not leaving me behind, making sacrifices that could make her unsuccessful so that she would not be there for me. She's sat with me through the multiple cancer and sickness scares that we had to go through, and meanwhile, I'm still stuck in the past. I was trying to get my dad's attention while she was breaking herself down for me. It's taken me a very long time to get out of the past and in the present with her. Slowly but surely, I've done it! Being more involved in both of their lives, I've seen that he doesn't care what happens as long as he gets good points for what he didn't do. She's lost thousands of dollars. She needed to make a sweet 16 dream my dad had promised, but never once put thought into it. She's taken me places that he's promised, but has never come to fulfill. There is a nice incident that has happened that made me realize she's the best I could ever ask for. In 2020,she had a stroke while I was in school. She couldn't walk, talk, or even eat. No one showed up. It was just her in a hospital room. That's when I realized it was only the two of us, and we needed each other. Still,while she was in the hospital, she worried about me eating, showering, and getting to school while she couldn't do anything. Then came 2025, it happened again! Instead of working on herself, she's worried about how to get senior photos, a prom dress, and graduation day. Her concerns never seemed to be about herself. She kept working right after the most recent stroke. My mom has had the biggest impact by just taking care of me when I thought no one would. She's taught me not worry about the past and worry about the present. Also, the biggest thing is nothing can bring you down and you can always make a comeback!