Growing up poor is hard. Add being from a country that doesn't have access to much fresh produce, or not even having the ability or know-how to grow your own produce. Where you don't have clean fresh water, your fellow citizens are full of radiation, causing tumors, birth defects, cancer, and more. Imagine expecting this to be the only way of life for you and your people. This was the reality for my oldest son, who is a citizen of the Marshall Islands. My desire to help Pacific Islanders has only grown as my children have gotten older. At the beginning of my relationship with their father, I always encouraged my in-laws to move to the States to have a better life. It wasn't until I was in my late 20's that I realized how incredibly insensitive that truly was. My in-laws hadn't said anything, they have always been much too kind and gentle. But I wish they had said something. I had no place telling them that their country wasn't good enough, even if I never spoke those words. My passion to do something to show how appreciative I am of these amazing people, their beautiful culture, and their kindness, even when they have been slighted and downright abused by the United States government grows stronger every day. I am an Environmental Science major, minoring in Sustainable Studies. Within the next year, I plan to obtain counseling certificates and a degree in Social Work. My dream is to build non-secular community centers, starting in the Marshall Islands. My younger 3 children are half Marshallese, my oldest is full. These centers will provide basic needs to any resident, free of charge: food, clothing, cloth diapers, and basic healthcare. It will be a place where residents can obtain information to further their education/job skills, learn about aquaponics (community gardens), learn about solar, and more. No one should have to leave their country to "live a better life". They should get to live where they want to, where their family has been for generations, where they, too, can make a difference. The United States is responsible for the health issues that Marshallese face. The U.S. used the Marshall Islands as their own personal nuclear testing field, disregarding the fact that living human beings were living on those islands. No care to the fact that these people can no longer plant on their own soil. To make it all worse, if they do end up coming to the States, the majority of the time they don't have access to public health insurance or food stamps, regardless of their financial situation. They pay taxes, but they cannot vote. The United States has harmed the Marshallese people, and other countries like the Marshall Islands, more than can ever be repaired. That's why I want to provide these community centers, to give them the opportunities to thrive. I am not looking to be anything more than a supporter to help people thrive. I do not know all the answers, but by further educating myself, I can help others help themselves. I need the knowledge to help others with their environmental crisis so that it is not just a quick fix, but a long-term solution that will encourage the regrowth of natural resources and their independence. They have been long deserving of a change, and I want to help them achieve that. Helping others live to their fullest potential is what makes me want to push on. I want others to get excited about doing more than just surviving.

Struggling with mental health seems the norm these days. If you don't suffer then someone close to you does. I have 3 best friends. One I have known for over 20 years, the other two for 3-4 years. Each of those amazing women would, without a second thought, support me unconditionally and each struggles with at least one mental health condition. I know that they build me up when I can't do it on my own. All the while, they are fighting their own demons. Currently, not one of them is seeking professional assistance with their diagnose(s). Day in and day out, I respect these women's opinions and appreciate their unwavering support. I also try to remind them when one of us is spiraling, to just breathe. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, and Post-Partum Depression (PPD). These are the conditions I have been diagnosed with. I am the only one of my friends currently seeking treatment for my condition. After every session, I tell my friends how the session went and undoubtedly, every time, at least one of them says, "I should try that" or "I didn't think of it like that". I know my sessions are no replacement for my friends seeking their own mental health support, but I hope they see it as indirect encouragement to get the help they need. I cannot stress enough how much it hurts to struggle within your own brain. We have to realize that there are so many people out there who struggle, but we can't always see it. Many of us have gotten very good at "putting on a happy face" for fear we may be found out. It is OK to not be OK. I always look forward to my time talking to my counselor, will continue to encourage my friends to find their own confidant and mental health support system, and will give grace to others. We cannot always tell what someone else has going on, and we need to acknowledge they may not have the tools to act differently. And most of all, breathe.

Growing up poor is hard. Add being from a country that doesn't have access to many fresh fruits or vegetables, or not even having the ability or know-how to grow your own produce. Where you don't have clean fresh water to drink, your family members are full of radiation, causing tumors, birth defects, cancer, and more. Imagine expecting this to be the only way of life for you and your people. This was the reality for my oldest son, who is a citizen of the Marshall Islands. Until he came to the States, where he sees that there is so much more that can be done to thrive. My desire to help Pacific Islanders has only grown as my children have gotten older. At the beginning of my relationship with their father, I always encouraged my in-laws to move to the States to have a better life. It wasn't until I was in my late 20's that I realized how incredibly insensitive that truly was. My in-laws hadn't said anything, they have always been much too kind and gentle. But I wish they had said something. I had no place telling them that their country wasn't good enough, even if I never spoke those words. My passion to do something to show how appreciative I am of these amazing people, their beautiful culture, and their kindness, even when they have been slighted and downright abused by the United States government grows stronger every day. I am majoring in Environmental Science, with a minor in Sustainable Studies. Within the next year, I plan on also going to school to obtain counseling certificates and a degree in Social Work. My dream, and soon my reality is to build non-secular community centers, starting in the Marshall Islands. My younger 3 children are half Marshallese, my oldest is full. These centers will provide basic needs to any resident, free of charge: food, clothing, cloth diapers, and basic healthcare and sexual health services. Furthermore, it will be a place where residents can obtain information to further their education or job skills, learn about aquaponics and help grow a garden, learn how solar will help power their country, and the many more plans I have yet to construct. No one should have to leave their country to "live a better life". They should get to live where they want to, where their family has been for generations, where they, too, can make a difference. The United States is responsible for the health issues that these humans face, the lack of fresh produce, the lack of freshwater, and too much more. The U.S. used the Marshall Islands as their own personal nuclear testing field, disregarding the fact that living human beings were living on those islands. No care to the fact that these people can no longer plant on their own soil. To make it all worse, if they do end up coming to the States, the majority of the time they don't have access to public health insurance or food stamps, regardless of their financial situation. They pay taxes, but they cannot vote. The United States has harmed the Marshallese people, and other countries like the Marshall Islands, more than can ever be repaired. That's why I want to provide these community centers, to give them the opportunities to thrive. I am not looking to be anything more than a supporter to help people thrive. I do not know all the answers, but through further educating myself, I can help others help themselves. I need the knowledge to help others with their environmental crisis, so that it is not just a quick fix, but a long-term solution that will encourage regrowth of natural resources and their independence. They have been long deserving of a change, and I want to help them achieve that. Helping others live to their fullest potential is what makes me want to push on. I want others to get excited about doing more than just surviving.

I have many pets. Picture #/Name/Description: #1- Shorty (dog) and Jocelyn (cat) #2- Kira (short-hair tabby) and Jocelyn (long-hair grey and white) are best friends. #3- Youngest kiddo (2) and Jocelyn (cat)- Jocelyn loves hanging out with my kids. #4- Chewbacca, or Chewy. He showed up in our backyard one day and no one claimed him. #5- 4 of my 5 children with our two dogs: Jazzabell, or Jazz on the left, and Shorty on the right. Jazz is a "pitbull" type and Shorty is a German Shepard/Basset Hound cross. Both great family dogs who love to go on adventures!

Allowing toxicity in your world only promotes self-hate. Get rid of the toxic people and things, and then listen when people tell you the positive things you couldn't hear before. Stop accepting put-downs. Stop letting the fear of failure disallow you from trying. I have always taught my children that you cannot allow people to treat you, or anyone else, unfairly. Stand up for the person that can't. Say something when someone else won't. Be the person you'd want someone to be for you if you were in that situation. For too many years I allowed toxic people to dictate how I was treated. I heard their hateful words, their "advice", saw how they behaved nicer to others. I no longer give those type of people access to take space in my life. Raising 5 other humans has shown me that unless I am going to live by what I tell them to live by, they won't either. I have to show them that I am important. I have to show them that no matter what other people say or do, I am worthy. That toxicity has no place in our world, and we have to be the ones to drown it out. That someone always has it worse than we do, so speak up. Do better for yourself and for others. We make our own happiness. I have vowed to myself and my children that from now on, I will do better at loving me. Sometimes that means that I need to take time for myself, but it makes me a better person and a better parent. While shedding myself of the toxicity that encased my life, I have come to realize that the majority of people that say or do mean things, hate themselves. There are a great number that are just not good people, but there is a bigger population that has had toxic things said and done to them, and they are pushing that on to others. Show others your are happy by being a good, kind, and equitable person. Going to school to attain my B.S. in Environmental Science and then moving on to attain my B.S. in Social Work is my testament that I want to be as good, kind and equitable a person to the Earth and their inhabitants as humanly possible. Be better, we all deserve it.

Going to school has given me a new outlook on life. I am majoring in Environmental Science, with a minor in Sustainable Studies, and plan to use my degree to start my own non-profit. One that directly benefits Pacific Islanders in their home countries. There are plenty of grants through the state and federal database available to help them provide more available healthy food, but currently no programs to do so. Being a single parent with 5 children isn't easy and I am doing everything within my power to provide a loving, safe, and inclusive atmosphere for them. My children are pacific islander, from their dad's side. My oldest is full, as both his birth parents are from the same country. I wouldn't be able to start this non-profit without the education that American Public University is providing me with. I plan to then transfer to Portland State University to attain a Bachelor of Science in Social Work. This is so I can provide the best care and knowledge to Pacific Islanders and their needs. I want to build non-secular community centers that give resources for Pacific Islanders to feel safe and able to have their basic needs met. In addition, I have plans that the centers will be able to provide tools and information to help clients pursue their dreams through education, job training, healthy eating, gardening, the list is endless. Equitable and payment-free services for all. I want to succeed in school, which means I have to cut one of my two jobs so I have enough time to focus on my school work, my remaining job, and most importantly, my children. Currently working 7 days a week doesn't leave a lot of time for one-on-one time with my children. Considering I have had to start homeschooling two of my children, due to the COVID crisis, I need that time to be able to help them, and myself, with our studies. Education is important for success in this country. In the field I would like to be in, every job posting requires a bachelor's degree, at the very least. My desire to help others has always been a passion of mine. I worked in healthcare for nearly 10 years, and currently work in the education system as well as with the houseless population by way of a men's shelter. My drive to provide equity to everyone has only grown as I've gotten older. I continue to see the countless times that someone cannot gain access or acceptance because of who they are, where they are from, or by what they have, or lack. Showing my children that I can, and will, succeed at enforcing equity for others, while providing my own children with the tools they need to succeed and be whoever they want to be, is extremely important to me. I want them to see that even though I did not finish my degrees until later than the norm, I was still able to make a positive impact on this Earth and for their inhabitants. To prove to them that no matter what, you can always make a difference, regardless of who you are, where you're from, or what you have. Gaining access to knowledge, gaining and proving my qualifications, will get my foot in the door to help others. To allow them to see that I want to help, to be accepted. My children need to see that helping others is key to living a healthy and fulfilling life. Going to school, succeeding in school, will undoubtedly do that.

Growing up as a child in a single-parent household, I vowed to myself that I would never have children unless it was with a good person that would never leave us. It worked for over 13 years, but it took a tragedy to change it all. After the passing of my amazing Mother-In-Law, his 9 months of relapse, and failed attempt at getting into rehab, my husband left. I have been a single parent for 4.5 years now. I wouldn't wish this on anyone. Trying to provide financially, emotionally and physically for all 5 of my children, alone, is absolutely exhausting. It is exhausting for all of us. The toll it has taken on my kids, who only have one parent to depend on now, is heartbreaking. Their father leaving doesn't make him a bad person, but I know he is unable to process the grief he feels from the loss of his mother. Addiction has a firm grip on him, but I hope that one day he will once again see that he is worthy of the good things life has to offer. I work 55+ hours a week to provide their basic needs. We don't have cable, a fancy car, big house, or any other thing people would normally think you'd be spending all of your money on. I do make more than minimum wage, but it still isn't enough. I do have to admit that I am very lucky that I only pay space rent on my home, as I own it outright, or else I don't know how I would be able to afford housing. I am also very blessed that I have benefits from my job that allow my oldest, a non-citizen but a permanent resident, health and dental insurance, which he is not eligible for any other coverage unless paid out of pocket. Even though we qualify for, and receive, state provided healthcare (medicaid), my oldest is ineligible due to his citizenship status. Going to school has given me a new outlook on life. I am majoring in Environmental Science, with a minor in Sustainable Studies, and plan to use my degree to start my own non-profit. One that directly benefits Pacific Islanders in their home countries. There are plenty of grants through the state and federal database available to help them provide more available healthy food, but currently no programs to do so. My children are pacific islander, from their dad's side. My oldest is full, as both his birth parents are from the same country. I wouldn't be able to start this non-profit without the education that American Public University is providing me with. I plan to then transfer to Portland State University to attain a Bachelor of Science in Social Work. This is so I can provide the best care and knowledge to Pacific Islanders and their needs. I want to build non-secular community centers that give resources for Pacific Islanders to feel safe and able to have their basic needs met. In addition, I have plans that the centers will be able to provide tools and information to help clients pursue their dreams through education, job training, healthy eating, gardening, the list is endless. Equitable and payment-free services for all. I want to succeed in school, which means I have to cut one of my two jobs so I have enough time to focus on my school work, my remaining job, and most importantly, my children. Currently working 7 days a week doesn't leave a lot of time for one-on-one time with my children. Considering I have had to start homeschooling two of my children, due to the COVID crisis, I need that time to be able to help them, and myself, with our studies. Education is important for success in this country. In the field I would like to be in, every job posting requires a bachelor's degree, at the very least. My desire to help others has always been a passion of mine. I worked in healthcare for nearly 10 years, and currently work in the education system as well as with the houseless population by way of a men's shelter. My drive to provide equity to everyone has only grown as I've gotten older. I continue to see the countless times that someone cannot gain access or acceptance because of who they are, where they are from, or by what they have, or lack. Showing my children that I can, and will, succeed at enforcing equity for others, while providing my own children with the tools they need to succeed and be whoever they want to be, is extremely important to me. I want them to see that even though I did not finish my degrees until later than the norm, I was still able to make a positive impact on this Earth and for their inhabitants. To prove to them that no matter what, you can always make a difference, regardless of who you are, where you're from, or what you have. Gaining access to knowledge, gaining and proving my qualifications, will get my foot in the door to help others. To allow them to see that I want to help, to be accepted. My children need to see that helping others is key to living a healthy and fulfilling life. Going to school, succeeding in school, will undoubtedly do that.