Gender
Female
Ethnicity
Hispanic/Latino
Hobbies and interests
Advocacy And Activism
Art
Business And Entrepreneurship
Coaching
Mentoring
Counseling And Therapy
Drawing And Illustration
Yoga
Public Health
Human Rights
Journaling
Karaoke
Meditation and Mindfulness
Mental Health
Spirituality
Painting and Studio Art
Animals
Forensics
Candle Making
Chess
Child Development
Clinical Psychology
Coffee
Community Service And Volunteering
Criminal Justice
Dog Training
Health Sciences
Latin Dance
Law Enforcement
Public Policy
Psychology
Pilates
Reading
Research
Self Care
Singing
Social Justice
Sleeping
Social Work
Sociology
Social Media
Spanish
Spending Time With Friends and Family
Sustainability
Tarot
Travel And Tourism
Volunteering
US CITIZENSHIP
US Citizen
FIRST GENERATION STUDENT
Yes
Sylvia Feliciano
2,721
Bold Points2x
Finalist1x
WinnerSylvia Feliciano
2,721
Bold Points2x
Finalist1x
WinnerBio
Empower Resilience. Ignite Change. Champion Sylvia.
My story isn’t just about navigating life’s challenges—it’s about transforming them into opportunities for growth and impact.
Marine Corps Veteran. Advocate for Hope and Healing.
The devastating loss of my son Joshua, a Marine Corps veteran who died by suicide earlier this year, has become the driving force behind my mission. Joshua’s courage in seeking mental health care, yet not receiving the adequate follow-up support he needed, has inspired me to dedicate my life to creating systems of care that ensure no one feels unsupported during their darkest moments.
I am dedicated to expanding access to mental health resources and tailoring approaches to meet the unique needs of individuals and communities. By utilizing trauma-informed strategies, I strive to engage and empower people to take charge of their mental well-being and advocate for themselves.
Compassion and growth define my journey. I am a Certified Suicide and Crisis Intervention Specialist II, committed to guiding individuals through their most challenging moments. As a Global Citizen, I work to foster meaningful connections across diverse communities, creating pathways for resilience and progress.
As a Latina Marine Corps Veteran and First-Generation College Graduate, I embody the strength and determination to break through barriers and chart new paths for our children's future generations.
My mission: Create a world where everyone has the tools and support to advocate for their mental health and thrive.
Education
Walden University
Master's degree programMajors:
- Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology
CUNY Bernard M Baruch College
Master's degree programMajors:
- Public Administration
Hofstra University
Bachelor's degree programMajors:
- Political Science and Government
Miami Dade College
Associate's degree programMajors:
- Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other
Miscellaneous
Desired degree level:
Master's degree program
Graduate schools of interest:
Transfer schools of interest:
Majors of interest:
- Social Work
- Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology
- Behavioral Sciences
Career
Dream career field:
Mental Health Care
Dream career goals:
Founder/Owner
Solace Mind2018 – Present6 yearsStrategic Advisor 2
City of Seattle Community Assisted Response and Engagement (CARE)2022 – 20231 yearCrisis Intervention Team Training Program Manager
Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission2023 – 20241 year
Sports
Bowling
Club2012 – 20164 years
Research
Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions
Solace Mind — Owner/Founder2018 – PresentHealth Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other
City of Seattle Community Assisted Response and Engagement (CARE) Department — Strategic Advisor 22022 – 2023
Public services
Volunteering
Rebuilding Together Seattle — Volunteer builder2012 – 2014Advocacy
Dr. Martin Luther King Celebration Committee — Chair, Workshop Subcommittee2013 – 2014Volunteering
New York State Internal Control Association — Member/Board Member2007 – 2011Advocacy
NAACP — Centennial Celebration Committee Member, Chair of the VIP Subcommittee2013 – 2014Volunteering
King County Inter-local Conflict Resolution/City of Seattle Alternative Dispute Resolution — Mediator2013 – 2016Volunteering
Crisis Connections — Crisis Phone Worker2023 – PresentVolunteering
Team Rubicon — Team Member2013 – Present
Future Interests
Advocacy
Politics
Volunteering
Philanthropy
Entrepreneurship
Lance Gillingham Memorial Scholarship
Lance Gillingham's story resonates deeply. A Navy veteran who served during the Vietnam War, his struggle with the aftereffects of Agent Orange exemplifies the silent battles many veterans face. His dedication to his country, despite the personal toll it took, reflects the very essence of what it means to be a Marine.
My Marine Corps service and time in the military transformed me. It instilled in me the core values of integrity, resilience, and leadership. It taught me the importance of selfless service and the unwavering brotherhood forged in the crucible of shared experiences. But most importantly, it instilled in me a profound sense of pride in being American. Freedom isn't just a word; it's the very reason we put on the uniform, a reason worth defending with every ounce of our being.
While I returned home from service physically unscathed, the tragedy of losing my son, a fellow Marine who battled PTSD and ultimately died by suicide, opened my eyes to the unseen wounds of our military service. Witnessing his struggle, the struggles of countless other veterans, and experiencing my own mental health struggles, awakened a deep sense of responsibility. We owe it to each other, to the memory of veterans like Lance Gillingham and my son, Joshua Giralde, and to those who carry the weight of their service, to ensure no one ever faces their darkest and most challenging moments struggle alone. This is why I'm applying for the Lance Gillingham Memorial Scholarship.
My son's story, a stark reminder of the mental health challenges veterans face, fueled my unwavering commitment to supporting their well-being. He was an advocate for his mental health and reached out to his provider at the Veteran Affairs hospital to seek help. The day before he took his life behind his campus dorms, he was on the phone with the veteran crisis line for 36 minutes. The phone worker deemed him ok to hang up without a referral. There was no warm handoff or follow-up, and no mobile crisis team or crisis intervention team-trained officer were sent. He suffered alone and succumbed to his crisis. The anguishing thought of him suffering alone has ignited a burning desire in me to help others navigate the darkness of mental health struggles. As a former Marine Corps veteran myself, with another son who is also a former Marine, I know all too well the battle military veterans experience, especially if they have been diagnosed with a mental health disorder. My ultimate goal is to become a licensed mental health counselor specializing in serving the veteran community. Through a combination of clinical practice and community engagement, I aim to bridge the gap between mental health services and those in need.
To achieve my goals, I plan on pursuing a two-pronged approach. Firstly, I plan to become a licensed clinical mental health professional specializing in trauma-informed crisis response and intervention. This will equip me to provide direct care to those struggling with suicidal ideation and complex mental health challenges. Secondly, I aim to establish a non-profit organization that extends my existing practice, Solace Mind®. This non-profit will focus on partnering with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and veteran and mental health coordinators on college campuses to provide crisis response and intervention services to veterans experiencing a mental health crisis on campus.
By becoming a mental health counselor specializing in veterans' mental health, I can ensure that future generations of veterans receive the support they deserve. Their service and sacrifice deserve nothing less.
This is my mission.
Jean Ramirez Scholarship
WinnerJOSHUA’S LIGHT
The world lost a bright light this year. Joshua, my son, a former Marine grappling with PTSD, depression, and anxiety, died by suicide. He was a student at East State Tennessee University, a fighter for his own mental health, and tragically, a victim of an inadequate system. Joshua sought help, spending 36 agonizing minutes on the veteran crisis line before being deemed "okay." No follow-up, no warm handoff, no intervention – just him alone with his demons. Witnessing this failure ignited a burning desire in me, a former Marine myself, to ensure no veteran ever walks that path alone.
My commitment to social justice, equity, and inclusivity has always fueled my interest in mental health. Seeing the stigma within my family, community, and the military amplifies my mission to break down barriers and make resources accessible. The devastating statistic of 22 veteran suicides a day demands action. I believe deeply in the transformative power of therapy, grief support, and holistic practices like yoga and mindfulness – tools to combat trauma and stress.
Joshua's story ignited a fire within me. My passion lies in the powerful intersection of mental health, cultural competency, and dismantling the existing colonial lens in mental health care. My goal is twofold: become a licensed mental health counselor specializing in trauma-informed crisis intervention specifically for veterans, and establish Solace Mind®, a non-profit extension of my existing practice.
Solace Mind® will bridge the gap between the VA, veterans' coordinators on college campuses, and those in crisis. My current experience as the Washington State CIT Program Manager, training first responders in crisis response, perfectly aligns with this vision. As a Crisis Intervention Specialist with extensive de-escalation and active listening skills, I'm dedicated to equipping responders with the latest suicide prevention tools. Our state-mandated training module, co-created with Dr. Jennifer Stuber and featuring my personal story, fosters empathy and understanding among responders.
My dedication to continuous learning and adaptability extends beyond crisis response. Volunteering on crisis hotlines and teaching yoga and sound healing to diverse populations highlights this commitment. An impactful example is when teaching a disengaged group of youth, I pivoted my approach to incorporate their cultural background, transforming the experience. This emphasizes the importance of cultural competency in mental health care for all.
As a woman of color, a Latina, and social justice activist, I see equity and inclusivity as cornerstones of effective therapy. My mission is to dismantle the stigma that prevents veterans and marginalized communities from seeking help.
With a profound understanding of veteran challenges and the lived experience of loss, I am confident in my ability to make a difference through Walden University's Mental Health Counseling program. Through clinical practice and Solace Mind®, I will honor Joshua's legacy, keep his light burning, and ensure no veteran battles their demons alone.
This is my journey; this is my mission, fueled by love and a desperate need for change.