(She/Her)
FOUNDER/DIRECTOR

"It wasn’t until I had the privilege to create Bravehearts, that my traumas finally found a realm where they could be safely held & heard in order for me to truly begin to heal. Not all of us are fortunate enough to experience safety in our homes. Bravehearts is my village, my family of choice, and for the past two decades of my advocacy journey, I have found healing & hope, through helping confront & comfort the ‘hurt of system silence’ others just like me have braved through, to experience a healing breakthrough".

(He/Him)
BRONX BRAVEHEARTS PROGRAM COORDINATOR

"My lived experiences with adoption, fuel my passion to help others. Through community, court, peer and family advocacy, I work relentlessly to uplift the voices of those seeking to find their own sense of self. I pride myself in leading a 'pride' of empowered hearts, by creating a brave space for young adults in New York City to feel safe enough to be their true, authentic selves without fear or judgment. Belonging matters".

(She/Her)
BRAVEHEART SUPPORT SERVICES COORDINATOR

"With a background in recovery and a deep understanding of the challenges faced by systemically impacted youth, I am dedicated to creating spaces where individuality and community can flourish. My lived experiences in the child welfare system have forged me into a passionate & knowledgeable advocate. Through my love for creative expression, nature, dance & the arts, I wield these passions as a therapeutic tool for meaningful youth engagement and connection".

(He/Him)
HEARTLINE PROGRAM SUPERVISOR

"My journey began with experiences of abandonment, as I was raised by an adoptive relative who provided me with the love and stability to succeed amidst my challenges and traumas. Through my passions of dance and self-expression, I prioritize the urgency to ensure all young adults feel seen, connected, and heard".

(She/Her)
HEARTLINE RELATABLE RESPONDER

"I do this work and offer my voice to give youth in care, as well as alumni of care true support. Especially as someone who could’ve used it as well during my youth, this work is necessary for young adults to be heard".

(She/Her)
HEARTLINE RELATABLE RESPONDER

"The world needs more kindness and empowerment. I do this kind of work because for me, it feels like another day helping someone out and doing something good in this world, rather than just work a job".

(He/Him)
BDAP FACILITATOR

"With over 7 years of activism and advocacy experience as a NYC native, I serve my community as a cross-system lived expert, leading multiple citywide initiatives and campaigns that bring about awareness to the challenges youth face. As a young parent, I am also dedicated to ensuring fathers have access and support to be meaningfully involved in the life of their child(ren)".

(She/They)
BDAP FACILITATOR

"I have not only faced, but more importantly, I have also triumphed over profound life adversities. My resilience stems from a deep-rooted determination to transform my past struggles & experiences, into a force for advocacy and policy change for my peers and my community. I am invested in my educational journey, to become a beacon of hope and empower my peers by igniting a movement towards healing & justice".

(She/Her)
OCFS YOUTH ADVISORY BOARD COORDINATOR

"Driven by my commitment to advocating for those receiving services from the child welfare system, I have had the opportunity to be a visionary behind The Nobody Ages Out Youth Movement and played a key role in the successful implementation of 7 initiatives developed by the New York City council to enhance the practices of the child welfare system. The values & practices of the Bravehearts, are the answer to true system transformation".

(She/Her)
HEARTLINE RELATABLE RESPONDER

"The negative effects on my life caused by the system, are what fuel my passion for change. I believe that what I experienced as a child in foster care is what's needed to make a real difference in what children experience in the future, and I’m dedicated to achieving that".

(She/Her)
ROCKLAND BRAVEHEARTS MENTOR

"Mentoring and youth advocacy is my way of being the person I always needed, but did not have growing up. I am committed to sharing the better version of myself who makes smarter decisions in order to have different outcomes, with hopes of being an inspiration to young people just like me".

(She/Her)
HEARTLINE RELATABLE RESPONDER

"I do this work because I genuinely enjoy helping others and giving them power back that they may feel was lost, taken, or never had".

(She/Her)
HEARTLINE RELATABLE RESPONDER

"I know first-hand how it feels to be a child in the system without a voice, and I want to do everything in my power to give voice and be a voice for those who need it the most. We all deserve to be HEARD".  

(She/Her)
BAM MENTOR

"What keeps me connected to the work is the personal passion I have for helping and caring for the youth. I have been in their shoes and have overcome many challenges and obstacles in my life. If I can do it, they can too".

(She/They)
BAM MENTOR

"I mentor so I can help young adults who’ve faced adversity within the child welfare system, find their light at the end of the tunnel and improve their physical and emotional wellbeing. It fulfills my passion, and I plan to continue to give back since Bravehearts supported me years ago when I was a mentee".

(He/Him)
BAM MENTOR

"Bravehearts appeared before me and it seemed like a perfect opportunity to try and take a deep dive into what I went through, and what so many other young people are still going through". 

(She/Her)
BAM MENTOR

"I have been a Braveheart for 9 years and most recently, have the honor to serve as the first Braveheart to become a licensed foster parent! My hope is to keep children safe and nurtured while birth parents are utilizing their time to heal and be the best they can for their children. I hope to advocate for and empower other young adults who have experienced foster care to consider fostering".

(She/Her)
BAM MENTOR

"Loneliness was an all too familiar feeling for me growing up due to the harmful effects of generational traumas & system impact. To cope, I would write, pray & help others in need. I have since turned my pain into purpose, by overcoming my obstacles and becoming an author and small business owner, bringing comfort through food to my community. Assuring that youth have access to healing, housing & hope, has kept me on my journey to serve others through faith & authenticity".