Passionate about children, youth, and families, I persevered to obtain my clinical Master’s in Social Work through Boston College, as a Hispanic, low-income, first-generation, and underrepresented student. Most of my experiences stem from clinical and residential services, as well as working in academic/school environments, both, in urban settings.
Throughout high school, college, and today, my support systems expand beyond my family and friends. Fortunately, my support systems included amazing organizations, such as Friends and Mentors Inc. (FAM), Bottom Line, Boston PIC, and uAspire, where my personal and professional network grew. With these community-based, non-profit organizations, Within these organizations, I have been able to experience a multitude of roles, such as a student and alum, a volunteer, an intern, a partner, a mentor/mentee, and much more. Through these roles, I have been able to explore educational and career options, collaborate and network with diverse individuals, and inspire youth in a variety of ways.
On the other hand, FAM is such a unique organization that has proven over time the power it holds through the strong relationships among the staff, community members, mentors, and mentees. FAM is invaluable for consulting networks and cultivating pertinent relationships in order to access resources, build strategic partnerships, and strengthen movements. In the end, everyone works side by side to collectively meet all of our goals.
For me, collaboration and cooperation are natural characteristics, and when done right, it causes an increase in organization tactics and a decrease in duplication of services. As I’ve done for the last 7 years, I will continue supporting, promoting, and advocating for an organization that, for years, did the same for me. As the Program Director for Therapeutic Mentoring, I intend to uphold FAM’s mission to “empower our youth to serve as leaders in their communities, advocate for social justice, make positive life choices, and realize their full potential”.
