Mental health is something I once believed was a private burden—something to survive silently, something to carry alone. But my personal experience with mental health has transformed how I view myself, the people around me, and the work I am meant to do in this world. What began as a struggle has become a source of purpose. My journey through anxiety, emotional trauma, and healing has shaped my beliefs, strengthened my relationships, and inspired my career in healthcare and advocacy. For many years, I carried emotional pain in silence. I experienced domestic instability, financial hardship, and the heavy expectations placed on me as a woman, a mother, and a caregiver. I often put my mental health last because survival demanded it. I poured myself into caring for others while ignoring the weight I carried inside. But that weight didn’t disappear—it showed up in the form of anxiety, isolation, and emotional exhaustion. I reached a breaking point that forced me to pause, reflect, and seek help. Choosing to prioritize my mental health was one of the hardest and bravest things I’ve ever done. Through therapy, journaling, faith, and self-awareness, I began to unravel years of internalized fear, self-doubt, and unprocessed trauma. I started to challenge the belief that I had to be “strong” all the time, and instead embraced the idea that vulnerability is strength. That shift changed everything. My mental health journey has completely reshaped my beliefs. I now understand that healing is not linear, and that emotional well-being is just as vital as physical health. I’ve learned that we cannot pour from an empty cup, and that self-care is not selfish—it is essential. These beliefs guide how I live, how I parent, and how I show up for others. I’ve also learned to extend grace to myself and to those around me, recognizing that everyone is fighting battles we may not see. Where I once felt disconnected, I now prioritize open communication and emotional safety in the people I surround myself with. I’ve created healthier boundaries, let go of toxic relationships, and built a support system based on trust, empathy, and shared growth. Most importantly, my experience with mental health has made me a more understanding and compassionate mother. I now model emotional awareness and resilience for my child, showing them the importance of mental well-being in everyday life. My career aspirations have been directly shaped by these personal experiences. As a Certified Nursing Assistant with over 17 years of caregiving experience and a licensed childcare provider, I’ve always had a heart for service. But now, I want to go further. My goal is to become a healthcare professional who advocates for mental health. I plan to pursue higher education in nursing and mental health advocacy, with the goal of creating programs and spaces where individuals—especially women and children—can access trauma-informed care, emotional support, and culturally sensitive resources. I want to work at the intersection of healthcare and mental wellness, helping people heal not just physically, but emotionally and spiritually as well. My experience with mental health has not only changed how I live—it’s changed why I live. I am no longer just trying to get through life. I am committed to making life better for others. I’ve taken my pain and turned it into passion. I’ve turned isolation into connection. And I’ve turned fear into fuel for a greater mission. Mental health is not a weakness. It’s a powerful reminder that healing is possible, and when we heal ourselves, we can help heal others. That is the legacy I’m building, and the difference I will make.

Turning Pain into Purpose: My Mission to Uplift African American Women Impacted by Domestic Violence and Substance Abuse I have lived through what too many African American women silently endure—trauma rooted in domestic violence and substance abuse. These aren’t just statistics to me; they are part of my story, my struggle, and now, my purpose. The pain I’ve experienced didn’t break me—it built me into someone fiercely committed to healing, change, and advocacy. Through higher education, I plan to use both my lived experience and professional training to improve care, coordination, and communication for African American women who, like me, have faced the unthinkable and deserve better. Growing up, domestic violence and substance abuse weren’t just things we saw on TV—they were in our homes, in our neighborhoods, and in our everyday lives. I watched loved ones spiral under the weight of addiction, and I witnessed the impact of violence that was often hidden behind closed doors and silenced by shame. As a young girl, I learned quickly how to stay quiet, how to keep secrets, and how to survive in chaos. But survival wasn’t enough. I knew I wanted more for myself, for my child, and for other women like me. As I stepped into adulthood, I faced many challenges on my own. I became a single mother, and despite the judgment, I made the choice to fight—for stability, for healing, and for a future. I worked hard to earn my HSED, became a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), and opened my own licensed daycare while supporting others in my community. I’ve spent over 17 years caring for people from all walks of life, and through every interaction, I’ve realized that healing begins with being heard, believed, and supported. I’ve also learned that African American women often face unique barriers in accessing mental health care, trauma-informed services, and support systems free of judgment. Many of us are labeled as strong, but rarely offered softness. We are expected to carry burdens silently, without the help we deserve. This has to change. And that’s why I’m pursuing higher education—because I want to be part of that change. With continued education in healthcare and advocacy, I plan to create a culturally responsive space that combines clinical care with community-based support for African American women impacted by domestic violence and substance abuse. I want to develop programs that prioritize trauma-informed care, mental health support, childcare assistance, and safety planning—all under one roof. I believe in meeting women where they are, speaking their language, and listening to their stories without judgment. My long-term vision includes building partnerships between healthcare providers, local agencies, and grassroots organizations to ensure better coordination of care. African American women deserve care providers who look like them, understand their pain, and advocate for their needs in spaces where they are often overlooked. I will be that provider. I will be that advocate. This scholarship would not only support my education, but also help me continue breaking generational cycles of trauma and silence. I am already doing the work—through caregiving, parenting, volunteering, and mentoring. Higher education will sharpen my tools, deepen my knowledge, and allow me to lead systemic change rooted in empathy and equity. I am no longer a victim of my past. I am a survivor, a healer, and a builder of futures. I believe that by transforming my own pain into purpose, I can help countless others do the same. Together, we can change the outcomes for African American women—one life, one voice, and one act of care at a time.

My name is Janay Curtis, and my journey into healthcare is rooted in personal experience, deep compassion, and an unwavering desire to uplift others. I have over 17 years of caregiving experience, and throughout my life, I have faced adversity with resilience, driven by a calling to serve and heal. This scholarship would not only support my educational journey but help me expand my ability to care for others in ways that truly change lives. My inspiration began as a child, when I watched my grandmother lose her independence due to illness. I remember feeling helpless, wishing I knew how to comfort her, how to support her through the physical and emotional pain. That moment planted the seed that would grow into my life’s purpose. As I grew older, I became a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), obtained my CBRF certification, and later earned my childcare license. These credentials allowed me to step into roles where I could finally do what I always wanted—help people feel safe, cared for, and respected during their most vulnerable moments. The path here hasn’t been easy. I am a single mother who has navigated poverty, judgment, and limited resources while raising a child and building a career. There were moments when I questioned if I could keep going—when I was paying for childcare out-of-pocket, studying for my HSED after long shifts, or trying to maintain stability without a strong support system. But I never gave up. I used every available resource—Section 8 housing, CCR&R, Advocap, the FSS program—to create a better life not only for myself and my child but for those I serve through my work. What makes me different is that I bring my entire life experience into my caregiving. I’ve worked with children, the elderly, and people with disabilities. I understand the silent battles many face—whether it’s physical pain, emotional trauma, or the feeling of being overlooked by the healthcare system. I don’t just see a patient; I see a person with a story, a family, and a future. My care goes beyond routine—it includes listening, educating, comforting, and advocating. My long-term goal is to continue my education and become a licensed nurse, focusing on community health and patient advocacy. I want to serve in underserved areas, especially within low-income communities, where people are too often denied access to quality care due to systemic barriers. I’ve lived in those neighborhoods. I’ve felt what it’s like to be ignored or rushed by medical professionals. I want to change that narrative—by being the nurse who listens, who takes her time, and who never lets a patient feel alone. This scholarship would give me the financial support I need to pursue further education while continuing to provide care through my daycare and CNA work. It would allow me to expand my skill set, continue to support my family, and make a lasting impact on my community. I am not asking for charity—I’m asking for a chance to continue building a legacy of care, empathy, and change. I’ve already proven my resilience. Now I’m ready to go further, to become the nurse and advocate I know I’m meant to be. With this scholarship, I will continue turning struggle into purpose, and passion into action—one patient, one family, and one life at a time.

Resilience is something I’ve had to practice my entire life—not just in moments of crisis, but every single day I chose to keep moving forward when the odds were stacked against me. One of the most pivotal examples of my resilience was when I became a single mother. I was young, scared, and judged not only by strangers, but by people I thought were part of my support system. I was told I would never finish school, never build a career, and never rise above my situation. Those words hurt, but they also fueled me. I refused to let anyone else define my story. Over the course of five years, I raised my child while applying for Section 8, completing Starting Point and childcare training, and earning my HSED. I was often stretched thin—working jobs, attending parenting classes, and studying late into the night—but I kept my focus. I didn’t have the luxury of falling apart; I had a child depending on me. When doors didn’t open for me, I found windows. I utilized every resource available: CCR&R, Advocap, energy assistance, and the Family Self-Sufficiency program through Appleton Housing Authority. I even paid childcare out of pocket until I was able to receive support. Step by step, I climbed out of survival mode and into stability. Today, I run my own daycare and continue building a business I can be proud of. Being judged throughout this journey has shaped my goals and given me a sense of purpose. Instead of internalizing the negativity, I’ve turned it into motivation to change how people view women like me—especially mothers, especially women of color, and especially those starting with limited support. The assumptions people made about me didn’t just hurt—they showed me how much society underestimates the strength, intelligence, and determination of women who have faced adversity. That realization has pushed me to be a voice for the unheard. It’s inspired me to help others find their own power, whether through education, childcare, or storytelling. That’s exactly why I’m pursuing the humanities. Studying the humanities allows me to connect personal experiences with the larger human journey. It teaches empathy, critical thinking, and the value of every individual’s story. I want to explore how people’s backgrounds, cultures, and histories shape their lives and how they rise through adversity. I want to understand how we communicate, create, and heal. The humanities allow me to ask important questions: Why do people judge others so quickly? How can we build communities that uplift rather than tear down? How do we tell stories that matter? Creativity is central to how I express myself and process the world. Whether it’s writing, designing learning activities for children, or creating safe spaces where kids feel seen and loved, I see creativity as a form of resilience. Every time I use art, words, or learning to spark something in a child, I know I’m planting seeds that will grow far beyond me. Pursuing the humanities is my way of giving back—by helping others feel seen, understood, and empowered, just as I fought to feel that way myself. I believe in the power of lived experience, and I want to use mine to build bridges, foster understanding, and keep inspiring change.