At a young age, me and my family well we were doing well and had a house with a jacuzzi that was never repaired though I don't remember any of that. My oldest memory is going to Curacao to pick out a toy for Christmas and then getting robbed; this is where it all took a turn for me. My father left us soon after that when I was three years old. So now my mom and I are stuck in this apartment in the back of a house. It's a one-bedroom apartment. We used to share the bed, but eventually, we got a second mattress, so now I sleep on the couch in the living room. I was lucky, though, we may have struggled but my mom never let me notice. There were times when she said, "Oh I forgot to pay the light bill," when in reality, she was waiting to get paid so she could pay the bill. I never had to worry if I had food on my plate because she would always put me first, and I'll always be grateful to her. We had little support from my father. Occasionally he would cut us a child support check, or send an envelope stuffed with some cash she would try not to use that money, instead saving it for rainy days. As I've gotten older, that support dwindled. We’re making ends meet now, and I've cut expenses on my part, and I've learned to cook out of necessity but learned to love it, I would cook for me and my mom to save money. I try to help her out as much as I can. I started working two summers ago at the auto glass shop my mom works at. From then on, if not during the week, I'd work on weekends at least once, sometimes twice. There were times when I would be tired, hands burning from carrying windshields, but I would still have to do HW or prepare for a test I'd have on Monday. Currently, I save that money, just in case my mom has none or not enough for the rent, I pitch in with what I can, or if she doesn't have money for gas or groceries or anything that we need, I try and help where I can. I also like saving that money to try and buy her stuff since she's the only reason I'm here now.

At a young age, me and my family well we were doing well and had a house with a jacuzzi that was never repaired though I don't remember any of that. My oldest memory is going to Curacao to pick out a toy for Christmas and then getting robbed; this is where it all took a turn for me. My father left us soon after that when I was three years old. So now my mom and I are stuck in this apartment in the back of a house. It's a one-bedroom apartment. We used to share the bed, but eventually, we got a second mattress, so now I sleep on the couch in the living room. I was lucky, though, we may have struggled but my mom never let me notice. There were times when she said, "Oh I forgot to pay the light bill," when in reality, she was waiting to get paid so she could pay the bill. I never had to worry if I had food on my plate because she would always put me first, and I'll always be grateful to her. We had little support from my father. Occasionally he would cut us a child support check, or send an envelope stuffed with some cash she would try not to use that money, instead saving it for rainy days. As I've gotten older, that support dwindled. We’re making ends meet now, and I've cut expenses on my part, and I've learned to cook out of necessity but learned to love it, I would cook for me and my mom to save money. I try to help her out as much as I can. I started working two summers ago at the auto glass shop my mom works at. From then on, if not during the week, I'd work on weekends at least once, sometimes twice. There were times when I would be tired, hands burning from carrying windshields, but I would still have to do HW or prepare for a test I'd have on Monday. Currently, I save that money, just in case my mom has none or not enough for the rent, I pitch in with what I can, or if she doesn't have money for gas or groceries or anything that we need, I try and help where I can. I also like saving that money to try and buy her stuff since she's the only reason I'm here now.

Volunteering at Kaiser Permanente over the summer was nothing short of transformative. Immersed in the bustling corridors of a healthcare environment, I discovered the profound power of empathy and its capacity to shape lives, including my own. This experience not only fueled my career aspirations but fundamentally altered my perspective on human connection and the potential for technology to enhance it. Spending time on the nursing floors, I encountered moments that tested my emotional resilience. Confronted with the loss of patients, I grappled with profound grief, a sentiment I had previously only associated with the passing of my beloved dog, Turbo. Yet, in facing these challenges head-on, I unearthed a newfound strength within myself. Instead of succumbing to despair, I channeled my emotions into a determination to effect change, albeit through a different avenue. It was amidst the beeping monitors and bustling medical staff that I realized my calling lay at the intersection of technology and healthcare. Inspired by the innovative solutions I encountered, I set my sights on a career in computer engineering. I envisioned a future where I could harness the power of technology to bridge gaps in healthcare, offering assistance and support from a distance. My experiences at Kaiser Permanente served as the catalyst for this ambitious pursuit, igniting a passion within me to innovate and alleviate suffering through technological advancement. Beyond shaping my career trajectory, volunteering enriched my understanding of human interaction in profound ways. Each encounter with patients and staff alike offered invaluable lessons in empathy and compassion. I learned to see beyond the surface, recognizing that every individual carries a unique set of challenges and burdens. Armed with this insight, I returned to my everyday life with a newfound appreciation for the importance of empathy in all spheres, be it personal or professional. In my current role, where interpersonal communication is paramount, the lessons I gleaned from my time at Kaiser Permanente continue to guide me. Armed with a deeper understanding of human nature, I navigate interactions with clients with newfound sensitivity and insight. I recognize that behind every action lies a complex web of emotions and experiences, and it is through empathy that a true connection is forged. As I reflect on my journey, I am filled with gratitude for the profound impact volunteering has had on my personal and professional growth. It has equipped me with the tools to navigate life's challenges with grace and compassion, and instilled in me a steadfast commitment to driving positive change in the world. As I embark on the next chapter of my career, I am inspired to continue leveraging technology as a force for good, ensuring that empathy remains at the heart of all my endeavors.