Ever since I entered the world of higher education, I have struggled with debt and student loans. The burden has felt quite heavy mentally, as I feel that my student loans hinder my goal of financial freedom. Growing up in a working family and living in the South Bronx, which is one of the poorest districts in the nation, has encouraged me to not only seek a better life for myself through education but has also influenced many of my financial decisions. As the first person in my family to acquire a master's degree, I am determined to not only set a good example for my younger family members but to honor the sacrifices of my parents and the ones who came before me. Growing up in a poor, immigrant family taught me the value of self-sufficiency and hard work. I had no financial support from my family for school, so I worked and borrowed loans to pay my way through college. I worked every summer during my undergrad years and even had a period where I had several jobs at one time so that I could afford the fees and tuition of my schooling. During my senior year of college, I worked retail at the GAP, worked as a recording studio assistant on campus, and interned at a theater production company. In addition to all this, I still volunteered with my local church to provide community resources while maintaining a position on the dean's list throughout my entire undergrad career, which helped with my candidacy for scholarship applications. I also applied for several scholarships and utilized the campus resources that offered assistance with navigating financial options for college. Before entering grad school, I wanted to minimize the financial debt I accumulated, so I took several jobs after undergrad so I could pay off my debt before beginning my graduate program. Now that I am currently enrolled at Hunter College in NYC for the master's in social work program, I am working a full-time job while being a full-time student, as I attend classes in the evening and over the weekends. I pay for my summer semesters out of pocket to avoid requesting a higher amount of loans and I am making small payments toward my loans as I go. As it stands, I have applied to over 100 scholarships not only through Bold.org but also through several organizations I've discovered through personal research. I am passionate about my goal of being debt free and I hope to begin my professional career as a licensed clinical social worker unhindered by financial debt. I am willing to do what it takes to ensure this outcome. This scholarship would be a way for me to avoid the financial strain that a graduate degree usually brings. This financial contribution would help in paying a large portion of the tuition and help me continue to pay off the student loan debt I currently have.

Ever since I've entered the world of higher education, I have struggled with idea of debt and student loans. The burden has felt quite heavy mentally, as I feel that my student loans hinder my goal of financial freedom. Growing up in a working family and living in the South Bronx, which is one of the poorest districts in the nation, has encouraged me to not only seek a better life for myself through education, but has also influenced many of my financial decisions. As the first person in my family to acquire a master's degree, I am determined to not only set a good example for my younger family members, but to honor the sacrifices of my parents and the ones who came before me. Growing up in a poor, immigrant family taught me the value of self-sufficiency and hard work. I had no financial support from my family for school, so I worked and borrowed loans in order to pay my way through college. I worked every summer during my undergrad years, and even had a period where I had several jobs at one time so that I could afford the fees and tuition of my schooling. During my senior year of college, I worked retail at the GAP, worked as a recording studio assistant on campus, and interned at a theater production company. In addition to all this, I still volunteered with my local church to provide community resources while maintaining a position on the dean's list throughout my entire undergrad career, which helped with my candidacy for scholarship applications. I also applied to several scholarships and utilized the campus resources that offered any assistance with navigating financial options for college. Before entering grad school, I wanted to minimize the financial debt I accumulated, so I took several jobs after undergrad so I could pay off my debt before beginning my graduate program. Now that I am currently enrolled at Hunter College in NYC for the masters in social work program, I am working a full time job while being a full time student, as I attend classes in the evening and over the weekends. I pay for my summer semesters out of pocket to avoid requesting a higher amount of loans and I am making small payments toward my loans as I go. As it stands, I have applied to over 100 scholarships not only through Bold.org, but also through several organizations I've discovered through my own research. I am passionate about my goal of being debt free and I hope to begin my professional career as a licensed clinical social worker unhindered by the financial debt. I am willing to do what it takes to ensure this outcome. This scholarship would be a way for me to avoid the financial strain that a graduate degree usually brings. This financial contribution would help in paying a large portion of the tuition and help me continue to pay off the student loan debt I currently have.

Ever since I've entered the world of higher education, I have struggled with idea of debt and student loans. The burden has felt quite heavy mentally, as I feel that my student loans hinder my goal of financial freedom. Growing up in a working family and living in the South Bronx, which is one of the poorest districts in the nation, has encouraged me to not only seek a better life for myself through education, but has also influenced many of my financial decisions. As the first person in my family to acquire a master's degree, I am determined to not only set a good example for my younger family members, but to honor the sacrifices of my parents and the ones who came before me. Growing up in a poor, immigrant family taught me the value of self-sufficiency and hard work. I had no financial support from my family for school, so I worked and borrowed loans in order to pay my way through college. I worked every summer during my undergrad years, and even had a period where I had several jobs at one time so that I could afford the fees and tuition of my schooling. During my senior year of college, I worked retail at the GAP, worked as a recording studio assistant on campus, and interned at a theater production company. In addition to all this, I still volunteered with my local church to provide community resources while maintaining a position on the dean's list throughout my entire undergrad career, which helped with my candidacy for scholarship applications. I also applied to several scholarships and utilized the campus resources that offered any assistance with navigating financial options for college. Before entering grad school, I wanted to minimize the financial debt I accumulated, so I took several jobs after undergrad so I could pay off my debt before beginning my graduate program. Now that I am currently enrolled at Hunter College in NYC for the masters in social work program, I am working a full time job while being a full time student, as I attend classes in the evening and over the weekends. I pay for my summer semesters out of pocket to avoid requesting a higher amount of loans and I am making small payments toward my loans as I go. As it stands, I have applied to over 90 scholarships not only through Bold.org, but also through several organizations I've discovered through my own personal research. I am passionate about my goal of being debt free and I hope to begin my professional career as a licensed clinical social worker unhindered by the financial debt. I am willing to do what it takes to ensure this outcome. This scholarship would be a way for me to avoid the financial strain that a graduate degree usually brings. This financial contribution would help in paying a large portion of the tuition and help me continue to pay off the student loan debt I currently have.

Social work is a career path that is built on fostering mutual liberation with individuals and communities. Social workers are meant to tune their ears against blocks and neighborhoods, as we listen to the stories of advocacy and progress. When I receive my MSW degree, I intend to do the very same, as I strive to continue the community work I have always done. I have been working with a community church for over 7 years, where I assist youth within the Bronx community and partner with other community-based organizations to provide resources to the Co-op City area and beyond. The biggest part of my volunteer work with Circle of Christ Church is working with youth between the ages of 12-18 by providing mentorship, emotional and mental health support, and interpersonal guidance. I am also a key member of a homeless care initiative that we’ve begun to execute, where we provide loving conversation, food, clothing, and personal care items to under-served populations in the Bronx. When I receive my degree, I intend to provide better resources and methods of expertise to members of the communities I serve. I will use my professional voice to support movements of economic equity, racial justice, and community development. Moreover, the mental health crisis we are noticing among youth today is a social issue that I feel is a pressing problem. If there is a population I’d like to assist and help, it would be young people. Instances of suicide, anxiety, depression, and other forms of psychological distress seem to have become commonplace in the lives of many. Due to my volunteer work in mentoring youth within the Bronx community, I see how these mental health issues interfere with their quality of life. Given how widespread this is, I plan to alleviate its effects by providing forms of counseling, therapy, group intervention, and resource allocation. As I mature in my career, I seek to incorporate art and music into my rehabilitative practices with families and groups, as I believe it can be an effective coping mechanism and vehicle for constructive conversation, dialogue, and healing for struggling individuals and families. To sum up my goals and intentions in a short phrase, I would like to combine my passions of community work, art, music, and advocacy to help the local families in my area. My desire is to grow as a community leader, one that strongly leads to serving and providing a space of healing for others on a multifaceted level. I feel that helping others through advocacy, counseling, and art is my life’s calling, as nothing comes close to how grateful I feel when I help others reach their full potential.

I'll never forget the feeling of drowning when you're perfectly still on land. Your mouth gets dry. Your breath becomes shallow. You begin to replay scenarios in your head that haven't even happened yet and these metaphorical waters you're drowning in become structured by thoughts that feel eternal, all while the outside world looks perfectly still and solid. I have struggled with anxiety for as long as I can remember. Managing conflict and the feelings of others felt overwhelming and all-consuming. I have always felt out of place from my peers because the world seemed so different in their eyes. They seemed to live life in a way that didn't concern itself with impending doom the way I did. I was envious of them and desired that same freedom. I really noticed how much it stole from me as I got older. Anxiety was a lingering menace and I felt that it prevented me from having meaningful relationships with friends and family. I got into a falling out with my best friend of almost 20 years, where we didn't speak for almost two years because I was too scared to confront our issues and anxious about communicating my thoughts and feelings. This distance from her really broke me and I descended into one of the darkest places of my life. Since then, I have tried my best to seek help and rely on my support system to cope with anxiety. I started to pursue counseling and openly communicate with friends and mentors to help navigate my mental health challenges. I have also been working on repairing my relationships, including the one with my best friend of 20 years. Things aren't quite healed yet, but I feel that we are in a healthier place to grow our friendship once more. Inspired by my own story, I hope to help people who struggle with mental health as a clinical social worker. I will be pursuing a masters in social work beginning fall of 2021.

When I was a young girl, my after-school routine would include a greeting to my siblings, a pouring of colorful cereal, and a cozy seat in front of the television as I waited in anticipation of one of my favorite childhood shows. There was the bright jingling of sweet bells, a sweep of piano keys, and a snazzy ballad that would bring the whole broadcast into motion. A kind-looking man in a red sweater would sing, “I’ve always wanted to have a neighbor, just like you!” I joyously sang the same thing in response, albeit from the barrier of a screen. This man was, of course, the kindest man I’ve ever seen: Mr. Rogers. This gentle, insightful man has molded the way I want to heal and help others. As I grew older, I started to put what I saw and learned into practice and, though I watched his broadcast less and less, I carried the lessons I learned tightly. As more time passed, I felt nostalgia wash over me and decided to look up some interviews of my digital neighbor, hoping to find the glimmer of kind wonder I had once felt in my childhood. In one interview, Mr. Rogers shared a phrase I strive to live by every day of my life: “When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’” Hearing this changed my life, and I now live to make a positive impact in my community. My desire is to grow as a community leader, one that strongly leads to serving and providing a space of healing for others on a multifaceted level. In the fall of 2021, I will be pursuing a Master in Social Work degree at The Silberman School of Social Work at Hunter College, so I can provide mental health support, emotional support, and invaluable resources to under-served communities. I feel that helping others is my life’s calling, as nothing comes close to how grateful I feel when I help others reach their full potential. My goal is to become a licensed clinical social worker so that I can provide music and art counseling to black and brown families with special-needs children. Music and mental health have been a significant part of my life, so using them as fuel for my career feels second nature to me. Moreover, I would also extend this service to youth with mental health challenges, as I believe music and art counseling can be an effective coping mechanism and vehicle for constructive conversation, dialogue, and healing for the creative youth of this generation. If there is anything I’d want to do with my life, it's to be the helper that Mr. Rogers talks about in his interview. Being a social worker in my community will help me contribute to the changes that need to take place in the worthy lives of all who breathe. I want to be a person that points to the light in a time of crisis, and helps lulls the seas of chaos in a life that’s not too close to shore. I want to water the seeds of potential in those around me, hoping we’d all sing of a glorious garden we cultivated when we began to grow together. I will continue to echo the lovely songs I heard in my childhood that sing of kindness, healing, and joy, hoping to lovingly tell my future clients and mentees: “ I’ve always wanted to have a neighbor, just like you.”

Words are a powerful force. The way we choose to use words has the power to bring life or death. I've heard words that still weigh down my confidence when I'm anxious or self critical. I've also hear words that made me soar closer to where I needed to be. This is the dance I've had to navigate since as long as I can remember. In my internal battle, I've been fighting to always remember the words that brought me life. When I was a young girl, I loved to watch Mister Rogers' Neighborhood on my local broadcast channel. There was the bright jingling of sweet bells, a sweep of piano keys, and a snazzy ballad that would bring the whole broadcast into motion. A kind-looking man in a red sweater would sing, “I’ve always wanted to have a neighbor, just like you!” I joyously sang the same thing in response, albeit from the barrier of a screen. As I got older, I would watch events and talk shows featuring my childhood hero. In one interview, Mr. Rogers shared a phrase I strive to live by every day of my life: “When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’” Hearing this changed my life, and I now live to make a positive impact in my community. If there is anything I’d want to do with my life, it's to be the helper that Mr. Rogers talks about in his interview. I feel that helping others is my life’s calling, as nothing comes close to how grateful I feel when I help others reach their full potential. My desire is to grow as a community leader, one that strongly leads to serving and providing a space of healing for others on a multifaceted level. Being a helper in my community will contribute to the changes that need to take place in the worthy lives of all who breathe. I want to be a person that points to the light in a time of crisis, and helps lulls the seas of chaos in a life that’s not too close to shore. I want to water the seeds of potential in those around me, hoping we’d all sing of a glorious garden we cultivated when we began to grow together. I will continue to echo the lovely songs I heard in my childhood that sing of kindness, healing, and joy, hoping to lovingly tell my future clients and mentees: “ I’ve always wanted to have a neighbor, just like you.” In the fall of 2021, I strive to become the best helper I can be as I pursue a Master's in Social Work degree at The Silberman School of Social Work at Hunter College. With my educational goals set in place, I hope to provide mental health support, emotional support, and invaluable resources to under-served communities.

As a young girl, my after-school routine would include a greeting to my siblings, a pouring of colorful cereal, and a cozy seat in front of the television as I waited in anticipation of one of my favorite childhood shows. There was the bright jingling of sweet bells, a sweep of piano keys, and a snazzy ballad that would bring the whole broadcast into motion. A kind-looking man in a red sweater would sing, “I’ve always wanted to have a neighbor, just like you!” I joyously sang the same thing in response, albeit from the barrier of a screen. This man was, of course, the kindest man I’ve ever seen: Mr. Rogers. This gentle, insightful man has molded the way I want to heal and help others. Watching his show became an event for me. I was eager to see Mr. Rogers speak of kindness, compassion, and empathy through his songs and puppet shows. As I grew older, I started to put what I saw and learned into practice and, though I watched his broadcast less and less, I carried the lessons I learned tightly. In one interview, Mr. Roger shared a phrase I strive to live by every day of my life: “When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’” Hearing this changed my life, and I now live to make a positive impact in my community. Born and raised in the Bronx to immigrant parents from the Dominican Republic, I am striving to make a name for myself in music and in the professional world. I am a singer-songwriter who graduated from Mercy College with a Bachelor of Science in Music Industry and Technology with a minor in Media Studies. Along with my creative interests, I have a passion for service and community engagement. I have been working with a community church for over 7 years, where I assist youth within the Bronx community and partner with other community-based organizations to provide resources to the Co-op City area and beyond. The biggest part of my volunteer work with Circle of Christ Church is working with youth between the ages of 12-18 by providing mentorship, emotional and mental health support, and interpersonal guidance. I am also a key member of a homeless care initiative that we’ve begun to execute, where we provide loving conversation, food, clothing, and personal care items to underserved populations in the Bronx. My life's goal is to grow as a community leader, one that strongly leads to serving and providing a space of healing for others on a multifaceted level. In the fall of 2021, I will be pursuing a Master in Social Work degree at The Silberman School of Social Work at Hunter College. I feel that helping others is my life’s calling, as nothing comes close to how grateful I feel when I help others reach their full potential.

In my artistic aspirations, music and community have always orbited each other. One didn't exist without the other. They are the sun and moon of my self expression and creativity; I wouldn't want it any other way. Born and raised in the Bronx to immigrant parents from the Dominican Republic, I am striving to make a name for myself in music and in the professional world. I am a singer-songwriter who graduated from Mercy College with a Bachelors of Science in Music Industry and Technology with a minor in Media Studies. I am the lead singer of a band called The Additive, where I occasionally play the keyboard, harp, and kazoo. I also perform as a solo artist and released my very first project “In Bloom” in October 2020. From age 8 to 17, I have toured and traveled with Highbridge Voices, a professional children's choir that inspires excellence in students through the arts. Along with my creative interests, I also have a passion for service and community engagement. I have been working with a community church for over 7 years, where I assist youth within the Bronx community and partner with other community-based organizations to provide resources to the Co-op City area and beyond. The biggest part of my volunteer work with Circle of Christ Church is working with youth between the ages of 12-18 by providing mentorship, emotional and mental health support, and interpersonal guidance. I am also a key member of a homeless care initiative that we’ve begun to execute, where we provide loving conversation, food, clothing, and personal care items to under-served populations in the Bronx. My biggest artistic ambition is to provide music and art counseling to black and brown families with special-needs children. Music and mental health have been a significant part of my life, so using them as fuel for my career feels second nature to me. Moreover, I would also extend this service to youth with mental health challenges, as I believe music and art counseling can be an effective coping mechanism and vehicle for constructive conversation, dialogue, and healing for the creative youth of this generation. This scholarship would be a way for me to avoid the financial strain that a graduate degree usually brings. I recently paid all of my student debt from my undergrad degree in music technology and I hope to avoid being buried in student loan debt again. Finding adequate financial support for my education would allow me to create music and engage in service freely and unhindered. This scholarship will help in paying a portion of the tuition and help me with the miscellaneous expenses of books, housing, and transportation. My desire is to grow as a community leader, one that strongly leads to serving and providing a space of healing for others on a multifaceted level. In the fall of 2021, I will be pursuing a Master in Social Work degree at The Silberman School of Social Work at Hunter College, so I can provide mental health support, emotional support, and invaluable resources to under-served communities. I feel that helping others through my passion for music and mental heath is my life’s calling, as nothing comes close to how grateful I feel when I help others reach their full potential. I am so grateful for the opportunity to apply to this scholarship and I hope you find exactly what you’re looking for in a candidate

As far as my educational goals, I recently got accepted to Hunter College in NYC for the masters in social work program. My goal is to become a licensed clinical social worker so that I can provide music and art counseling to black and brown families with special-needs children. Music and mental health have been a significant part of my life, so using them as fuel for my career feels second nature to me. Moreover, I would also extend this service to youth with mental health challenges, as I believe music and art counseling can be an effective coping mechanism and vehicle for constructive conversation, dialogue, and healing for the creative youth of this generation. This scholarship would be a way for me to avoid the financial strain that a graduate degree usually brings. I just recently paid all of my student undergrad debt from my undergrad degree in music technology and I hope to avoid being buried in student loan debt again. This scholarship will help in paying a portion of the tuition and help me with the miscellaneous expenses of books, housing, and transportation. I am so grateful for the opportunity to apply to this scholarship and I hope you find exactly who you’re looking for in a candidate.

I remember looking for a counselor during the beginning of quarantine when I witnessed the death of Ahmaud Arbery and George Floyd through my phone screen. I grieved alone in my Bronx apartment and sprawled to find a counselor to discuss the injustices with, to talk about my identity and where I fit. I was specifically looking for a counselor of color, but could not find one in my area that took my insurance. It was incredibly difficult to find a counselor I didn't have to pay out of pocket for, considering that I was responsible for my rent, utilities, and student debt payments. I could not afford to pay for mental health services at the time and, because of the lack of access, I didn't receive care and had to make due without it. This experience fed the fire that burned long before I could notice. The mental health disparities I was witnessing reinforced my belief that mental health is a human right. Everyone should have access to quality mental health in their communities. Born and raised in the South Bronx in NYC, I have witnessed firsthand how lack of mental health resources can perpetuate pressing systemic and institutional issues that have plagued communities of color for decades. Having mental health professionals that look like us and reflect our experience can be a healing force within Black and Brown communities. In my utopian vision, a counselor or social worker of color would be a clear beacon of hope in every community. The counselors would also be compensated generously, as the work they would do is highly respected. The employment agency would be community-based and would be systemically built to support and care for mental health workers, as they would be given resources to practice self care and professional development. Patients seeking care would also not have to worry about the financial burden of counseling and would be connected to the resources they need through a community service center. Ideally, I would like to approach this program holistically. In addition to mental health, I would like to provide care for the body and soul through health checks, nutritional education, exercise, career counseling, and spiritual care. Mental health does not exist in a vacuum, as the other listed factors are linked to the success of one another. Providing adequate care for communities of color can be, in its own right, an act of social justice and advocacy, as it would help set an even scale for distribution of wealth and opportunities within Black communities. If Black families are given adequate care, the positive effects of treatment would pool into other areas of their lives and permeate throughout, allowing them access to opportunities in employment, health, and financial security. Supporting the mental health of communities of color could slowly topple the harmful structures that cause harm and help community members navigate the complex emotions and thought patterns that are often developed when dealing with racism, economic injustice, health disparities and inability to access care. As a Black Hispanic, I want my life's work to reflect the passion and resolve I feel toward my community. I want my career to demonstrate that "Black Lives Matter" is more than just a phrase against injustice, but a statement we should seek to venerate through our actions and values. I am doing my part to contribute to this vision, as I am working to complete a masters in social work at CUNY Hunter College. I hope that, with my educational goals set in place, I will be able to make this sentiment a bit more tangible.

When I was a young girl, my after-school routine would include a greeting to my siblings, a pouring of colorful cereal, and a cozy seat in front of the television as I waited in anticipation of one of my favorite childhood shows. There was the bright jingling of sweet bells, a sweep of piano keys, and a snazzy ballad that would bring the whole broadcast into motion. A kind-looking man in a red sweater would sing, “I’ve always wanted to have a neighbor, just like you!” I joyously sang the same thing in response, albeit from the barrier of a screen. This man was, of course, the kindest man I’ve ever seen: Mr. Rogers. This gentle, insightful man has molded the way I view community work and public service. Watching his show became an event for me. I was eager to see Mr. Rogers speak of kindness, compassion, and empathy through his songs and puppet shows. As I grew older, I started to put what I saw and learned into practice and, though I watched his broadcast less and less, I carried the lessons I learned tightly. As more time passed, I felt nostalgia wash over me and decided to look up some interviews of my digital neighbor, hoping to find the glimmer of kind wonder I had once felt in my childhood. In one interview, Mr. Roger shared a phrase I strive to live by every day of my life: “We live in a world in which we need to share responsibility. It's easy to say 'It's not my child, not my community, not my world, not my problem. ' Then there are those who see the need and respond. I consider those people my heroes.” Hearing this changed my life, and I now live to make this idea as tangible as I can. My desire is to contribute to a professional setting, one that strongly leads to serving and providing a space of healing for others on a multifaceted level. In the fall of 2021, I will be pursuing a Master in Social Work degree at The Silberman School of Social Work at Hunter College, so I can provide mental health support, emotional support, and invaluable resources to under-served communities. I feel that helping others is my life’s calling, as nothing comes close to how grateful I feel when I help others reach their full potential. At the Rose F. Kennedy Center, my current workplace, being a connection to resources and information has always brought me great joy and meaning. As a Research Coordinator, I provide a bridge to families by giving them information and walking them through registration and completion of the research protocol. I also assist with technological equity, as I provide families with access to remote telehealth clinical services, in both English and Spanish. Talking to clients in their native tongue gives them access to the clinical services they need while making them feel seen and understood. During COVID-19, for example, I was given the task to survey our clinical families and ask about their remote learning experiences and how they believed their children were adapting. Hearing the families’ responses, documenting their hardships, and providing them with resources and support references that might make this difficult transition easier is my most rewarding task to date. Providing assistance to families inmy community that feel forgotten during the COVID-19’s remote learning experience showed me how essential it is to support and advocate for those who may have little to no resources. Moreover, I also work to provide healing and joy in community spaces within my city of The Bronx in New York City. I have been working with a community church for over 7 years, where I assist youth within the Bronx community and partner with other community-based organizations to provide resources to the Co-op City area and beyond. The biggest part of my volunteer work with Circle of Christ Church is working with youth between the ages of 12-18 by providing mentorship, emotional and mental health support, and interpersonal guidance. I am also a key member of a homeless care initiative that we’ve begun to execute, where we provide loving conversation, food, clothing, and personal care items to underserved populations in the Bronx. The mental health crisis we are noticing among youth today is a social issue that I feel is a pressing problem. If there is a population I’d like to assist and help, it would be young people. Instances of suicide, anxiety, depression, and other forms of psychological distress seem to have become commonplace in the lives of many. Due to my volunteer work in mentoring youth within the Bronx community, I see how these mental health issues interfere with their quality of life. Given how widespread this is, I plan to alleviate its effects by providing forms of counseling, therapy, group intervention, and resource allocation. As I mature in my career, I seek to incorporate art and music into my rehabilitative practices with families and groups, as I believe it can be an effective coping mechanism and vehicle for constructive conversation, dialogue, and healing for struggling individuals and families. If there is anything I’d want to do with my life, it's to be the hero that Mr. Rogers talks about in his interview. Being a social worker in my community will help me contribute to the changes that need to take place in the worthy lives of all who breathe. I want to be a person that points to the light in a time of crisis. I want to water the seeds of potential in those around me, hoping we’d all sing of a glorious garden we cultivated when we began to grow together. I will continue to echo the lovely songs I heard in my childhood that sing of kindness, healing, and joy, hoping to lovingly tell members in my community, “ I’ve always wanted to have a neighbor, just like you.”

I was alone in my apartment during quarantine and decided I wanted to be a penguin. I was lonely and discouraged, so I wanted to find a way to cheer myself up. I took this photo and edited them into penguin-related things because it made me smile. I also shared this with some friends, hoping they would be able to have a laugh, too. To me, this meme represents the resilience of the human spirit and the optimistic future that awaits us once we are all free of this pandemic.

I am admittedly not a movie buff, but there is one film that sticks out in my memory when I think about my movie-viewing experience. Kimi no Na wa ( translates to "your name") has etched itself into my consciousness. Whenever I see a ruby sunset or the first sign of twilight, I always play its colorful scenes in the back of my mind. The film seems like your typical body-swat narrative (similar to that of "Freaky Friday" or "13 going on 30") but I was gleefully mistaken. The story surrounds two teenage strangers who become connected to each other in an unprecedented way. In navigating this strange phenomenon, they build a deep connection that alters their lives, and the lives of the people around them, forever. The visuals of this story are riveting and breathtaking. Makoto Shinkai, the director of the film, is known for his detailed backdrops, realistic landscaping, and whimsical color schemes, allowing the sheer beauty of the film to shine through in a compelling way. I am also deeply impressed by the plot and character development, as you see these elements unwind and expand as the film progresses. There are memorable moments of suspense and thrill, while the major themes of destiny, free will, and sacrifice force you to look inward. This film changed my perception of cinema and helped me truly appreciate it as a vehicle for storytelling and as an art form. I admittedly not a movie buff but, if there are more films like Kimi no Na wa, I'd gladly work on becoming one.

My latest single "Free" was a song I wrote and produced along with my band mate. We decided to release it around Valentines Day of 2021. During quarantine, I wanted to write and release a song that would remind people about how love, in its purest form, is a free gift that continues to give of itself. There is so much pain and loss during this pandemic and I wanted to release something that lifted up anyone who would listen. I am so proud of this song and hope that it reminds people that, although everything in this world tells us that we have to earn our inherent worth and value through shallow ends, authentic love is always free.

When I was a young girl, my after-school routine would include a greeting to my siblings, a pouring of colorful cereal, and a cozy seat in front of the television as I waited in anticipation of one of my favorite childhood shows. There was the bright jingling of sweet bells, a sweep of piano keys, and a snazzy ballad that would bring the whole broadcast into motion. A kind-looking man in a red sweater would sing, “I’ve always wanted to have a neighbor, just like you!” I joyously sang the same thing in response, albeit from the barrier of a screen. This man was, of course, the kindest man I’ve ever seen: Mr. Rogers. This gentle, insightful man has molded the way I want to heal and help others. Watching his show became an event for me. I was eager to see Mr. Rogers speak of kindness, compassion, and empathy through his songs and puppet shows. As I grew older, I started to put what I saw and learned into practice and, though I watched his broadcast less and less, I carried the lessons I learned tightly. As more time passed, I felt nostalgia wash over me and decided to look up some interviews of my digital neighbor, hoping to find the glimmer of kind wonder I had once felt in my childhood. In one interview, Mr. Roger shared a phrase I strive to live by every day of my life: “When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, “Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.”” Hearing this changed my life, and I now live to make this idea as tangible as I can. My desire is to contribute to a professional setting, one that strongly leads to serving and providing a space of healing for others on a multifaceted level. In the fall of 2021, I will be pursuing a Master in Social Work degree at The Silberman School of Social Work at Hunter College, so I can provide mental health support, emotional support, and invaluable resources to under-served communities. I feel that helping others is my life’s calling, as nothing comes close to how grateful I feel when I help others reach their full potential. My current workplace feels like a wondrous training ground for my long-term career aspirations. As a Research Coordinator, I provide a bridge to families by giving them information and walking them through registration and completion of the research protocol. I also assist with technological equity, as I provide families with access to remote telehealth clinical services, in both English and Spanish. Talking to clients in their native tongue gives them access to the clinical services they need while making them feel seen and understood. During COVID-19, for example, I was given the task to survey our clinical families and ask about their remote learning experiences and how they believed their children were adapting. Hearing the families’ responses, documenting their hardships, and providing them with resources and support references that might make this difficult transition easier is my most rewarding task to date. Providing assistance to families that feel forgotten during the COVID-19’s remote learning experience showed me how essential it is to support and advocate for those who may have little to no resources. Moreover, I am also preparing for my social work dream by contributing to community spaces within my city of The Bronx in New York City. I have been working with a community church for over 7 years, where I assist youth within the Bronx community and partner with other community-based organizations to provide resources to the Co-op City area and beyond. The biggest part of my volunteer work with Circle of Christ Church is working with black and brown youth between the ages of 12-18 by providing mentorship, emotional and mental health support, and interpersonal guidance. I am also a key member of a homeless care initiative that we’ve begun to execute, where we provide loving conversation, food, clothing, and personal care items to under-served populations in the Bronx. The mental health crisis we are noticing among youth today is a social issue that I feel is a pressing problem. If there is a population I’d like to assist and help, it would be young people. Instances of suicide, anxiety, depression, and other forms of psychological distress seem to have become commonplace in the lives of many. Due to my volunteer work in mentoring youth within the Bronx community, I see how these mental health issues interfere with their quality of life. Given how widespread this is, I plan to alleviate its effects by providing forms of counseling, therapy, group intervention, and resource allocation. As I mature in my career, I seek to incorporate art and music into my rehabilitative practices with families and groups, as I believe my musical background can be used to create an vehicle for constructive conversation, dialogue, and healing for struggling individuals and families. If there is anything I’d want to do with my life, it's to be the helper that Mr. Rogers talks about in his interview. Being a social worker in my community will help me contribute to the changes that need to take place in the worthy lives of all who breathe. I want to be a person that points to the light in a time of crisis, and helps lulls the seas of chaos in a life that’s not too close to shore. I want to water the seeds of potential in those around me, hoping we’d all sing of a glorious garden we cultivated when we began to grow together. I will continue to echo the lovely songs I heard in my childhood that sing of kindness, healing, and joy, hoping to lovingly tell my future clients and mentees: “ I’ve always wanted to have a neighbor, just like you.”

I'll never forget the feeling of drowning when you're perfectly still on land. Your mouth gets dry. Your breath becomes shallow. You begin to replay scenarios in your head that haven't even happened yet and these metaphorical waters you're drowning in become structured by thoughts that feel eternal, all while the outside world looks perfectly still and solid. I have struggled with anxiety for as long as I can remember. Managing conflict and the feelings of others felt overwhelming and all-consuming. I have always felt out of place from my peers because the world seemed so different in their eyes. They seemed to live life in a way that didn't concern itself with impending doom the way I did. I was envious of them and desired that same freedom. I really noticed how much it stole from me as I got older. Anxiety was a lingering menace and I felt that it prevented me from having meaningful relationships with friends and family. I got into a falling out with my best friend of almost 20 years, where we didn't speak for almost two years because I was too scared to confront our issues and anxious about communicating my thoughts and feelings. This distance from her really broke me and I descended into one of the darkest places of my life. Since then, I have tried my best to seek help and rely on my support system to cope with anxiety. I started to pursue counseling and openly communicate with friends and mentors to help navigate my mental health challenges. I have also been working on repairing my relationships, including the one with my best friend of 20 years. Things aren't quite healed yet, but I feel that we are in a healthier place to grow our friendship once more. Inspired by my own story, I hope to help people who struggle with mental health as a clinical social worker. I will be pursuing a masters in social work beginning fall of 2021.