My name is Leslie Cox, and I am a junior at Virginia Union University pursuing a degree in Social Work. I personally have overcome domestic violence, and I witnessed my mother experience domestic violence as a child growing up. I affected me in a way I had not acknowledged until returning to school and learning that it is/was not normal. It was something that I endured because I saw my mother and my aunt endure it. I finally had enough, and I escaped a 12-year marriage where I was being mentally, emotionally, and verbally abused. I found the courage to leave amidst my own fears of being alone and feeling unlovable. It was because of this treatment I began to self-medicate by smoking marijuana. This numbed me and allowed me to endure the day-to-day attacks and angry words. It was the public humiliation that was the final limit. When I could not take it anymore, I left and did not look back. I have been divorced now for 6 years. The treatment I endured. fueled me to educate myself so I can help others who have gotten lost in ill-treatment, name calling, spousal abuse, domestic violence, and substance use. A degree in social work will help me help other women who are in or have been in same or similar situations. The education I am pursuing will help me equip African American women with the tools to recognize early on the red flags/signs that the situation they are in is not a good one. I will be able to provide them with resources and skills to navigate out of the bad situations and get to a safe place/environment where they can thrive. I feel l can be effective in the lives of those I will encounter because I am determined. I want to educate, uplift and empower African American women so they will walk in their power and authority as Black women, to be able to love themselves. I want to create safe spaces where we can talk, and I can encourage and teach proper communication and teach them how to properly advocate for themselves and coordinate their care. I will teach them to cope with substance use. I want to counsel Black women to let them know what real Love is. I want them to know that they are not alone, and they can overcome and flourish and blossom. In doing this I believe we will have less women accepting maltreatment from their partners because they recognize the signs and either set clear boundaries or leave the situation.

I currently give back by volunteering with various organizations and assisting the homeless with mental issues. I also give back by collecting toiletries and personal items for inmates in the State of Virginia. A friend opened a Boutique Mental Health Group, Spiritual Outreach Services (SOS) and I started working with them assisting the homeless population with mental health issues. In doing this work daily, I see the void in the African American Community. I especially see how even in a homeless state African American women are sexualized and taken advantage of simply for a place to stay. I am finding that my clients all struggle with the same underlying issue; not resolving some type of trauma. I've always been easy to talk to and have also been able to offer insight that helps people. I wanted to tap into this characteristic of mine but knew I needed adequate education and training. This train of thought is how I ended up at VUU. Upon my completion of my undergraduate degree, I will pursue my Masters in Christian Mental Health Counseling at Liberty University. My plan to positively impact the world in the future is to open a Wellness Center for Women of Color. I want to provide a safe space where women and young girls can come for counseling and small group therapy. It will be a place where we will gather and share our experiences with each other. I feel like this will help by showing participants that they are not alone. There are others who have experienced the same or similar experiences and have survived, who have overcome and are thriving. It will be a place where young girls and women of color can come and meditate, exercise (yoga, tai chi, aerobics), learn about and how to choose healthy meal options to purchase, and healthy cooking classes. This will be a facility that hosts seminars and courses all to help young girls and women of color grow in knowledge and skills in the areas of Health, Education and Financial Empowerment. This will help them be viable and successful and healthy to be able to do the things they want or create the life they want by helping them heal their mind, body and emotions. This is my way of advocating for black women and girls. It will be my way of helping my community and giving back in a vital and much needed way. By equipping them with the tools to become whole, they can in turn help others. ng the homeless that have a mental issue. I assist with the collection of toiletries and personal items for men and women incarcerated in the State of Virginia.

As a college student interested in mental health, actions I can take to create a positive impact is to exercise patience. Create a safe space when you see someone in need. A friend opened a Boutique Mental Health Group, Spiritual Outreach Services (SOS) and I started working with them assisting the homeless population with mental health issues. In doing this work daily, I see the void in the African American Community. I especially see how even in a homeless state African American women are sexualized and taken advantage of simply for a place to stay. I am finding that my clients all struggle with the same underlying issue; not resolving some type of trauma. I've always been easy to talk to and have also been able to offer insight that helps people. I wanted to tap into this characteristic of mine but knew I needed adequate education and training. This train of thought is how I ended up at VUU. Upon my completion of my undergraduate degree, I will pursue my Masters in Christian Mental Health Counseling at Liberty University. My goal is to open a Wellness Center for Women of Color. I want to provide a safe space where women and young girls can come for counseling and small group therapy. It will be a place where we will gather and share our experiences with each other. I feel like this will help by showing participants that they are not alone. There are others who have experienced the same or similar experiences and have survived, who have overcome and are thriving. It will be a place where young girls and women of color can come and meditate, exercise (yoga, tai chi, aerobics), learn about and how to choose healthy meal options to purchase, and healthy cooking classes. This will be a facility that hosts seminars and courses all to help young girls and women of color grow in knowledge and skills in the areas of Health, Education and Financial Empowerment. This will help them be viable and successful and healthy to be able to do the things they want or create the life they want by helping them heal their mind, body and emotions. This is my way of advocating for black women and girls. It will be my way of helping my community and giving back in a vital and much needed way. By equipping them with the tools to become whole, they can in turn help others.

I plan to create a legacy for my future through education, advocacy and advocacy. My name is Leslie Cox and I am a non-traditional student. I am 56 years old, and I decided to return to school to pursue a Degree in Psychology with a minor in Social Work. I returned to school because I saw a void in my city. My goal is to open a Wellness Center for Women of Color. I want to provide a safe space where women and young girls can come for counseling and small group therapy. It will be a place where we will gather and share our experiences with each other. I feel like this will help by showing participants that they are not alone. There are others who have experienced the same or similar experiences and have survived, who have overcome and are thriving. It will be a place where young girls and women of color can come and meditate, exercise (yoga, tai chi, aerobics), learn about and how to choose healthy meal options to purchase, and healthy cooking classes. This will be a facility that hosts seminars and courses all to help young girls and women of color grow in knowledge and skills in the areas of Health, Education and Financial Empowerment. This will help them be viable and successful and healthy to be able to do the things they want or create the life they want by helping them heal their mind, body and emotions. This is my way of advocating for black women and girls. It will be my way of helping my community and giving back in a vital and much needed way. By equipping them with the tools to become whole, they can in turn help others. Ways in which I let my light shine is by feeding the homeless. I cook soup, make sandwiches and distribute. I collect toiletries for inmates throughout the state of Virginia. I collect bras and panties and personal items for females who are incarcerated or in treatment or in homeless shelter. My light shines by advocating and speaking out for those incarcerated. My light shines everyday I wake up and I can assist someone. The questions always on my mind are, What can I do? What needs to be done? How can I assist? No, I insist! The Bible says the greatest in the Kingdom is the servant of ALL.

I have personally been impacted by domestic violence and/or substance abuse in that I survived! I managed to escape a 12 year abusive marriage and thrive. My ex-husband had an unacknowledged drinking problem. He was an angry drunk and every time I became the object of his disdain. The verbal, emotional and physical abuse became unbearable and I eventually left in 2017. I did everything I could to change myself to make my husband love and treat me in the manner I wanted to be treated and loved. I had erased so much of myself I was unrecognizable to me. It has been a long road to healing but I am on it and going back to school is apart of that process. After several years of counseling to restore a healthy view of myself I have returned to school to pursue an education in the field of Psychology and Social Work. A friend opened a Boutique Mental Health Group, Spiritual Outreach Services (SOS) and I started working with them assisting the homeless population with mental health issues. In doing this work daily, I see the void in the African American Community. I especially see how even in a homeless state African American women are sexualized and taken advantage of simply for a place to stay. I am finding that my clients all struggle with the same underlying issue; not resolving some type of trauma. I've always been easy to talk to and have also been able to offer insight that helps people. I wanted to tap into this characteristic of mine but knew I needed adequate education and training. This train of thought is how I ended up at VUU. Upon my completion of my undergraduate degree, I will pursue my Masters in Christian Mental Health Counseling at Liberty University. My goal is to open a Wellness Center for Women of Color. I want to provide a safe space where women and young girls can come for counseling and small group therapy. It will be a place where we will gather and share our experiences with each other. I feel like this will help by showing participants that they are not alone. There are others who have experienced the same or similar experiences and have survived, who have overcome and are thriving. It will be a place where young girls and women of color can come and meditate, exercise (yoga, tai chi, aerobics), learn about and how to choose healthy meal options to purchase, and healthy cooking classes. This will be a facility that hosts seminars and courses all to help young girls and women of color grow in knowledge and skills in the areas of Health, Education and Financial Empowerment. This will help them be viable and successful and healthy to be able to do the things they want or create the life they want by helping them heal their mind, body and emotions. This is my way of advocating for black women and girls. It will be my way of helping my community and giving back in a vital and much needed way. By equipping them with the tools to become whole, they can in turn help others.

I was kinda born into Community Service. As the third oldest grand daughter of a Pentecostal Preacher and First Lady. I was always with my grandparents serving others and helping out in the community. I accompanied them to pray for the sick and shut in. My grandmother would cook and clean (I helped) while my Grandpa prayed. As I got older I witnessed them giving money and feeding those who didn't have. They were a great example of service to God, Family and Community. It is because of their example I have continued to help and serve those who are less fortunate and unable to help themselves. I have done this over the course of the last 20 years or so through volunteering. I volunteer regularly to feed the homeless. I have cooked soup and made sandwiches and distributed lunch bags and drinks. I have collected and distributed personal hygiene items for inmates in the Virginia prison system. I have collected bras and panties for female prisoners and homeless shelters and rehab facilities around the City of Richmond. I have assisted and counseled troubled youth. I have cooked and sold dinners to raise money for various charitable events throughout the City. Being a Servant to others has been a very rewarding and fulfilling act. To bring hope and healing and resources to those in need is the ultimate act of kindness and love. Being a voice for those who can't speak for themselves makes me feel empowered. There but for the grace of God go I, it could have been me, but it wasn't so I do all I can to help those around me to be better or get to a better place in life. A friend opened a Boutique Mental Health Group, Spiritual Outreach Services (SOS) and I started working with them assisting the homeless population with mental health issues. In doing this work daily, I see the void in the African American Community. I especially see how even in a homeless state African American women are sexualized and taken advantage of simply for a place to stay. I am finding that my clients all struggle with the same underlying issue; not resolving some type of trauma. I've always been easy to talk to and have also been able to offer insight that helps people. I wanted to tap into this characteristic of mine but knew I needed adequate education and training. This train of thought is how I ended up at VUU. Upon my completion of my undergraduate degree, I will pursue my Masters in Christian Mental Health Counseling at Liberty University. My goal is to open a Wellness Center for Women of Color. I want to provide a safe space where women and young girls can come for counseling and small group therapy. It will be a place where we will gather and share our experiences with each other. . I feel like this will help by showing participants that they are not alone. There are others who have experienced the same or similar experiences and have survived, who have overcome and are thriving.

My name is Leslie Cox and I am a non-traditional student. I am 56 years old, and I decided to return to school to pursue a Degree in Psychology with a minor in Social Work. I currently have an Associates in Culinary Arts. I returned to school because I saw a void in my city. Before the pandemic set in fully, I owned the Sheep Hill Bistro, an American Gastropub in the Carver area. I closed and found a regular job during the Pandemic. I had to leave my job shortly after starting to take care of my mother when her home health nurses stopped showing up for work. This was a trying time for me as I had no income. A friend opened a Boutique Mental Health Group, Spiritual Outreach Services (SOS) and I started working with them assisting the homeless population with mental health issues. In doing this work daily, I see the void in the African American Community. I especially see how even in a homeless state African American women are sexualized and taken advantage of simply for a place to stay. I am finding that my clients all struggle with the same underlying issue; not resolving some type of trauma. I've always been easy to talk to and have also been able to offer insight that helps people. I wanted to tap into this characteristic of mine but knew I needed adequate education and training. This train of thought is how I ended up at VUU. Upon my completion of my undergraduate degree, I will pursue my Masters in Christian Mental Health Counseling at Liberty University. My goal is to open a Wellness Center for Women of Color. I want to provide a safe space where women and young girls can come for counseling and small group therapy. It will be a place where we will gather and share our experiences with each other. I feel like this will help by showing participants that they are not alone. There are others who have experienced the same or similar experiences and have survived, who have overcome and are thriving. It will be a place where young girls and women of color can come and meditate, exercise (yoga, tai chi, aerobics), learn about and how to choose healthy meal options to purchase, and healthy cooking classes. This will be a facility that hosts seminars and courses all to help young girls and women of color grow in knowledge and skills in the areas of Health, Education and Financial Empowerment. This will help them be viable and successful and healthy to be able to do the things they want or create the life they want by helping them heal their mind, body and emotions. This is my way of advocating for black women and girls. It will be my way of helping my community and giving back in a vital and much needed way. By equipping them with the tools to become whole, they can in turn help others.

My name is Leslie Cox and I am a non-traditional student. I am 56 years old, and I decided to return to school to pursue a Degree in Psychology with a minor in Social Work. I returned to school because I saw a void in my city. Before the pandemic set in fully, I owned the Sheep Hill Bistro, an American Gastropub in the Carver area. I closed and found a regular job during the Pandemic. I had to leave my job shortly after starting to take care of my mother when her home health nurses stopped showing up for work. This was a trying time for me as I had no income. A friend opened a Boutique Mental Health Group, Spiritual Outreach Services (SOS) and I started working with them assisting the homeless population with mental health issues. In doing this work daily, I see the void in the African American Community. I especially see how even in a homeless state African American women are sexualized and taken advantage of simply for a place to stay. I am finding that my clients all struggle with the same underlying issue; not resolving some type of trauma. I've always been easy to talk to and have also been able to offer insight that helps people. I wanted to tap into this characteristic of mine but knew I needed adequate education and training. This train of thought is how I ended up at VUU. Upon my completion of my undergraduate degree, I will pursue my Masters in Christian Mental Health Counseling at Liberty University. My goal is to open a Wellness Center for Women of Color. I want to provide a safe space where women and young girls can come for counseling and small group therapy. It will be a place where we will gather and share our experiences with each other. I feel like this will help by showing participants that they are not alone. There are others who have experienced the same or similar experiences and have survived, who have overcome and are thriving. It will be a place where young girls and women of color can come and meditate, exercise (yoga, tai chi, aerobics), learn about and how to choose healthy meal options to purchase, and healthy cooking classes. This will be a facility that hosts seminars and courses all to help young girls and women of color grow in knowledge and skills in the areas of Health, Education and Financial Empowerment. This will help them be viable and successful and healthy to be able to do the things they want or create the life they want by helping them heal their mind, body and emotions. This is my way of advocating for black women and girls. It will be my way of helping my community and giving back in a vital and much needed way. By equipping them with the tools to become whole, they can in turn help others. The monies from this scholarship will help me in achieving this goal.

My goal is to open a Wellness Center for Women of Color. I want to provide a safe space where women and young girls can come for counseling and small group therapy. It will be a place where we will gather and share our experiences with each other. I feel like this will help by showing participants that they are not alone. There are others who have experienced the same or similar experiences and have survived, who have overcome and are thriving. It will be a place where young girls and women of color can come and meditate, exercise (yoga, tai chi, aerobics), learn about and how to choose healthy meal options to purchase, and healthy cooking classes. This is my way of advocating for black women and girls. It will be my way of helping my community and giving back in a vital and much needed way. By equipping them with the tools to become whole, they can in turn help others. Being black to me means I am from the original inhabitants of this world. Being black to me means I have ingrained in my DNA: determination, strength and resilience. Being black to me means greatness is my portion. I chose to attend Virginia Union University, the prestigious HBCU in Richmond, Virginia. It has been around for 125 years. I wanted to be apart of that Legacy of Excellence in my City where I intend to work tirelessly to help those that can not help themselves.

My name is Leslie Cox and I am a non-traditional student. I am 56 years old, and I decided to return to school to pursue a Degree in Psychology with a minor in Social Work because I saw a void in my city. A friend opened a Boutique Mental Health Group, Spiritual Outreach Supports (SOS) and I started working with them assisting the homeless population with mental health issues. After working with them and in doing this work daily, I see the void in the African American Community. I especially see how even in a homeless state African American women are sexualized and taken advantage of simply for a place to steep. I am finding that my clients all struggle with the same underlying issue; not resolving some type of trauma. I've always been easy to talk to and have also been able to offer insight that helps people. I wanted to tap into this characteristic of mine but knew I needed adequate education and training. This train of thought is how I ended up at VUU. Upon my completion of my undergraduate degree, I will pursue my Masters in Christian Mental Health Counseling at Liberty University. Upon completion of my education my goal is to open a Wellness Center for Women of Color. I want to provide a safe space where women and young girls can come for counseling and small group therapy. It will be a place where we will gather and share our experiences with each other. I feel like this will help by showing participants that they are not alone. There are others who have experienced the same or similar experiences and have survived, who have overcome and are thriving. It will be a place where young girls and women of color can come and meditate, exercise (yoga, tai chi, aerobics), learn about and how to choose healthy meal options to purchase, and healthy cooking classes. This will be a facility that hosts seminars and courses all to help young girls and women of color grow in knowledge and skills in the areas of Health, Education and Financial Empowerment. This will help them be viable and successful and healthy to be able to do the things they want or create the life they want by helping them heal their mind, body and emotions. I am currently working in the mental health field as a Program Manager with Spiritual Outreach Supports. I conduct the initial intake, gathering all of the necessary demographic, historical and insurance information. Once intake has been complete, an assessment is done and if accepted into the program I place client in a hotel from 2--7 days while client is set up with Psychiatrist, medication and any other needs.