Charity is important to me because I know what it’s like to grow up needing help. My mother struggled with substance abuse and was incarcerated when I was young, which led to me being raised by my great-grandmother. While she provided me with love, strength, and guidance, we still faced financial and emotional hardships. At times, we depended on the kindness of others—whether it was through school programs, donated supplies, or community resources. Those small acts of charity made a big difference and helped me feel seen and supported. To me, charity is about more than money—it’s about connection, compassion, and creating opportunities for others. It’s about showing people that they matter, especially when they’re going through hard times. These values have stayed with me and inspired my decision to pursue a degree in Psychology with the goal of becoming a child therapist. In the future, I plan to give back by working with children and families who’ve experienced trauma, instability, or mental health challenges—particularly in underserved communities. I want to provide culturally competent care and be part of the solution in improving access to therapy for African American families. I also hope to mentor young people with similar backgrounds and let them know they’re not alone. I believe that giving back is both a responsibility and an honor. I’ve been blessed to overcome adversity, and I plan to use my experiences, education, and heart to help others rise above their circumstances, too.

Growing up, I witnessed firsthand the effects of substance abuse and how it can tear families apart. My mother struggled with addiction and was incarcerated during my early childhood. Because of this, I was raised by my great-grandmother, who became the one stable, loving force in my life. Her strength and guidance gave me a sense of security and purpose, but the emotional impact of growing up without my mother left a lasting impression on me. Although I was not physically present for every moment of my mother’s battle, I lived through the consequences, I faced the emotional confusion, the loss of connection, and the stigma attached to having a parent with an addiction. I also saw how the system often fails women like my mother how cycles of trauma, poverty, and untreated mental health issues are rarely addressed with compassion or understanding. Instead of support, they are often met with judgment or punishment. These experiences inspired me to pursue a degree in Psychology with the goal of becoming a child and family therapist. I want to be someone who not only helps children who’ve experienced trauma but also works with families especially African American women, who are navigating the aftermath of substance abuse and domestic violence. I believe that with the right care, education, and emotional support, healing is possible for any and every individual. But to truly change outcomes, we must do more than offer services, we need to improve how those services are delivered, positive interactions, genuine concern and care, and instilling confidence in everyone we come across and interact with. Through higher education, I plan to develop the skills and knowledge needed to advocate for more trauma informed, culturally competent mental health care. I want to work in communities that are often overlooked and provide therapy that acknowledges both the personal and systemic challenges African American women face. My goal is to help improve coordination between therapists, caseworkers, and community programs so that women and their families receive consistent, compassionate care. I also want to create safe spaces where women feel empowered to share their stories and begin to heal without shame or feeling judged. Ultimately, I hope to be part of a movement that shifts the way we talk about addiction and domestic violence one that centers healing, dignity, and hope, especially for Black women and children who deserve more than just survival, they deserve to thrive.

My name is Lashawn Pointer, and I am a Psychology major with aspirations of becoming a child therapist. I was born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland, where my childhood was shaped by hardship, resilience, and the unconditional love of my great grandmother. My mother battled substance abuse and was incarcerated during my early years, which meant my great grandmother stepped in to raise me. She was my rock the person who instilled in me the importance of education, discipline, and doing the right thing, even when life gets hard. When she passed away during my junior year of high school, I was devastated. It felt like the world stopped, but it also reminded me of why I had to keep going. Her strength lived on in me, and that experience pushed me to take my education and future seriously. I realized then that I wanted to use my story not as something to hide from, but as a tool to help others especially children who might be growing up with similar struggles. This is what led me to major in Psychology. I’ve always had a desire to understand human behavior, especially the emotional and mental development of children. I know from experience that having just one supportive adult can make all the difference in a child’s life. My goal is to become a licensed child therapist and work with kids facing trauma, loss, or instability. I want to create safe, affirming spaces for children to talk about their feelings and learn how to heal. As a student athlete, I’ve also learned valuable life skills like perseverance, time management, and leadership. Balancing sports and academics has taught me how to stay focused and push through even when things get difficult. I plan to bring that same energy and determination into my career as a therapist and advocate for youth mental health. My long term goal is not just to help individual children, but to contribute to a larger change. My goal is to promote mental health awareness in underserved communities and helping to break the stigma surrounding therapy. I believe my purpose is to turn my pain into purpose and help others do the same. To show that it’s possible to come from a negative environment and still become something better and flourish. Through my studies and future career, I am committed to making a lasting and positive impact on the world.