Natalia never had an easy life. She grew up in the evil hands of both of her parents. One parent who judged her on every move she made and constantly calling her "ugly", "not good enough" to the other parent wishing she were never born. The biggest pain was though being taken away and placed into a foster home; she still craved to be with her biological parents. Natalia was in foster care for about 6 months when she was only 6 years old. Natalia struggled to adapt to a home that was not hers, while reminiscing on a place that never felt like home. Throughout her upbringing, Natalia was someone who volunteered her time to help others, such as neighbors, friends and random strangers. Natalia was a kind-hearted person despite her poor upbringing. Natalia would walk around with a smile on her face because on the outside she did not want anyone to see she was dying. Instead, she would drown in her sorrow when she would be all alone. Natalia turned to self-harm, cutting herself on her legs and arms. She was doing that for a few years just so she could feel numb. She at one point got caught and so she ended up stopping so that her parents would not find out and scrutinize her. Natalia is Hispanic and comes from a household that does not believe in mental health. Natalia comes from a household that tells her to shrug it off. Natalia had turned to substances, such as pills and alcohol to number her internal sadness. Natalia lived with the thought of "why me, why this, when will it get better" Natalia never saw better, instead she saw worse. Natalia at that point is a 16-year-old who started to completely give up on herself. She ended up finishing high school but more or so scraping by. Natalia struggled during her high school years as she grew up extremely poor, walking around with holes in her shoes. Natalia would get bullied for not having luxury clothing, and for not having a cellphone. Natalia walked around with a smile but completely checked out. Natalia would write on herself "worthless" very often. Natalia still so broken from her upbringing and the damage done by her parents, still managed to get accepted into her first choice for college. Although Natalia was constantly drinking and swallowing pills as if they were candy, she still managed to get up most days and go to classes and go to work. She was no longer smiling though, just a walking zombie scraping by to just make ends meet. Natalia often felt like giving up on herself, hoping that one day the pain would stop, the discomfort would leave, and the stress would perish, but it never did. After graduating college, which despite her inner child being broken, she promised her to die father on his hospital bed that she would finish college. She said those words to him and saw him cry but he could not speak because he was completely paralyzed from all the alcoholism throughout his life. Natalia made that promise and she always kept her promises that she made to herself and others. Natalia had devoted herself into stopping the cutting, the substances and alcoholism because she wanted to try a different approach. She wanted to see what it would be like to start living and not dying. Natalia would focus on getting a job in a school setting where she started as a paraprofessional. Within three months was promoted to a learning support teacher because the principal saw her potential and knew she was special. He was in her that she devoted long hours to ensure the students would succeed in their classes and enhanced their mindsets to believe that they are more than capable to be what they ever dreamt of despite any life hurdles or parents imposing stress on them. Natalia is now a social worker who graduated from Silberman School of Social Work as her true passion was not only teaching, but to help families/children in need that were failed by society. Natalia is now a social worker who does not let her past define her. She uses her past to fuel her to create good in this mess of a world. Natalia is someone who had a inner broken child and worked so hard to change her ways/mindset so that she could be the fight for someone else who might not be as strong as her.

Where do I begin? Life has never been a nice walk in the park. I’ve come from an abusive environment growing up, to being in foster care, to even dealing with my own emotional pain from past trauma. Growing up and understanding my own emotions was never something that came easily for me as I only grew up around toxic individuals. I just kept telling myself “one day I’ll make it out.” Fast forward, I was always the shy and timid girl. People would confuse me for being too quiet and weird. They looked at me as if I didn’t belong. It took a while for me to understand that life was just never going to be easy for me. It wasn’t until my 5th grade year, where I was diagnosed with a learning disability which continued to impact me up until 12th grade. I was placed in a small setting known as the special educational class. I was the laughing stock of the school for most of my young years. I knew I was different and it wasn’t because I was slow or not capable, I just learned things at my own pace. When I entered 10th grade, my father was in his death bed that lasted two years before his passing. He allowed the alcohol to win over his life after the divorce with my mother a few years prior. No one ever prepares you for the hardships of life and the impact it brings to you. I think you just learn to cope with it in your own way. Nonetheless, I worked twice as hard in school to achieve my good grades and to not only make my father proud but to make myself proud. I promised him hours before he passed away that I’d make it through high school and graduate college. He couldn’t move or speak but he cried and that was enough for me to know that he understood. I graduated high school and went off to a local college named John Jay College of Criminal Justice. I took the Criminal Justice route but always knew I wanted to be a future Social worker. Since I was always less fortunate than others, I let money come in the way of my education. It wasn’t until I was a 10th Grade teacher that I decided to stop putting off my dream and apply for graduate school. I did more than what others thought I could do. It was the impact I had on my students with disabilities, the students I could relate to. It made me very happy to see their educational growth and only influenced me even more to go for my own dreams. I will be entering graduate school and will complete my master’s degree in social work in hopes to better the lives of others and to show the world that no matter what, you can achieve everything you ever dreamt of. I am here to make a positive change and bring my experience to those who really need the support.

As someone who had a rough life growing up, from being placed in foster care, to learning about my dyslexia in High school. It made me seem like a burden and someone who did not fit in. The stares that waited for me in the lunchroom and funny looks given to me in the hallways in high school have only made me fight harder. Not only was my dyslexia a factor and hardship in my life at the time, but seeing my father on his deathbed for two years made the experience much harder. One thing that kept me going was my final words to him as he cried in his vegetated state, "I will graduate and make it to college, for you, and for us." Those are the same words that brought tears to his eyes in his last few hours of life. It has given me the strength and motivation to power through my high school education. His tears didn't give me motivation, his inability to speak or move was difficult but he understood the words that came out of my mouth and it was enough to help me survive through the hardships. The idea stems from my time as a 10th grade ACT teacher where I noticed the educational gaps between students who struggled with their education and those who lacked access to all their support needs. I was able to work with students in a small group setting and support them as much as possible. I knew my calling was to support students and let them know that no matter the disability, you can achieve all your goals. I was able to work with students in a small group setting and support them as much as possible. I knew my calling was to support students and let them know that no matter the disability, you can achieve all your goals. Though my educational career in the criminal justice field was one I enjoyed, nothing brought me more happiness than social work and mental health. I decided to pursue my lifelong dream of obtaining a master's degree in Social work. I know that one chapter closes because the next one is ready to open, and the excitement in my soul to know that I can make a huge impact on others, is my number one reason for it all. I will continue to grow in my field through the required internships within my social work degree. I will empower and support students through the Access Resource Center for one year, supporting Bronx Community College Students. I will then pursue another internship serving population with disabilities. I will bring my knowledge, strength and support to improve the lives of others and be one step closer to becoming a social worker. I am evidence that with or without a disability, you can accomplish all your dreams.

As someone who had a rough life growing up, from being placed in foster care, to learning about my dyslexia in High school. It made me seem like a burden and someone who did not fit in. The stares that waited for me in the lunchroom and funny looks given to me in the hallways in high school have only made me fight harder. Not only was my dyslexia a factor and hardship in my life at the time, but seeing my father on his deathbed for two years made the experience much harder. One thing that kept me going was my final words to him as he cried in his vegetated state, "I will graduate and make it to college, for you, and for us." Those are the same words that brought tears to his eyes in his last few hours of life. It has given me the strength and motivation to power through my high school education. His tears didn't give me motivation, his inability to speak or move was difficult but he understood the words that came out of my mouth and it was enough to help me survive through the hardships. The idea stems from my time as a 10th grade ACT teacher where I noticed the educational gaps between students who struggled with their education and those who lacked access to all their support needs. I was able to work with students in a small group setting and support them as much as possible. I knew my calling was to support students and let them know that no matter the disability, you can achieve all your goals. I was able to work with students in a small group setting and support them as much as possible. I knew my calling was to support students and let them know that no matter the disability, you can achieve all your goals. Though my educational career in the criminal justice field was one I enjoyed, nothing brought me more happiness than social work and mental health. I decided to pursue my lifelong dream of obtaining a master's degree in Social work. I know that one chapter closes because the next one is ready to open, and the excitement in my soul to know that I can make a huge impact on others, is my number one reason for it all. I will continue to grow in my field through the required unpaid internships within my social work degree. I will empower and support students through the Access Resource Center for one year, supporting Bronx Community College Students. I will then pursue another population in juvenile detention for the sole purpose of supporting all individuals. I will bring my knowledge, experience, strength and support to improve the lives of others.