Writing Samples
Belief in Action: How Mentorship Changes Lives
An inspiring relationship between a Heartshare Board Member and an American Dream Program participant shows firsthand the life-changing impact of mentorship. This piece explores what it means to believe in someone and how that belief can be a catalyst for unlocking potential.
Inside Heartshare Education’s Transformative Vocational Lab
Heartshare Education’s new vocational lab transforms an underused space into a vibrant hub where students with developmental disabilities gain real-world skills, confidence, and greater independence. This piece explores how this innovative project is inspiring students to dream big and shape their own futures.
Undefeated and Unstoppable: Rodney’s Path to Purpose
American Dream Program scholar Rodney Badger draws on his experience as a former youth in foster care to empower others and illuminate a path of hope. Our conversation spotlights Rodney’s journey from a shy, unsure teenager navigating a complicated past to a confident, empowered individual taking center stage at the 2025 Fall Benefit for Heartshare St. Vincent’s Family Services.
Banding Together One Bracelet at a Time
Ash & Co. is more than a jewelry business—it’s a story of creativity, community, and empowerment. Started as a way to engage students in vocational activities, Ash & Co. quickly became a student- and staff-run enterprise. Through interviewing participants, I learned how Ashlly’s passion for bracelet-making inspired peers, turning a personal hobby into a collective initiative. This interview offers a glimpse into Ash & Co.’s growth and the people behind its success.
Leveling Up to a New Stage of Growth
Heartshare St. Vincent’s Family Services' Level Up Ceremonies celebrate the academic achievements of youth in foster care, part of the American Dream Program, a mentoring initiative providing trauma-informed educational support. This event highlighted the program’s impact and the pride shared by students, mentors, and families as they celebrated these milestones.
Empowering Lives Through Meaningful Employment
To mark National Disability Employment Awareness Month 2025, I interviewed two members of Heartshare Developmental Disability Service’s Employment Program to provide firsthand perspectives from our community on the significance of meaningful employment.
Celebrating Council Member Rita Joseph
The 2025 Heartshare Fall Benefit introduced a new award recognizing individuals dedicated to every child's potential and to providing safe, nurturing homes for youth in foster care. NY Council Member Rita Joseph received the inaugural Believer Award for her contributions to NYC youth and foster care. Before the event, I interviewed her about her personal connection to foster care and her continued support for youth.
