"About 15 years ago, I really got into painting. I always wanted to as a child, but my parents were very strict. They'd tell me: 'you're going to starve if you become an artist', so I became a chemist. Now that I'm retired, I do a lot of painting. I really enjoy it so much.
“I started working at QCH when I was 24 years old. At first, I figured I’d probably be here for about a week or two. It turned into 42 years and counting. It’s been such a pleasure working with everybody at QCH.
"At first, I thought I was never going to graduate from college. When I connected with QCH’s College Access and Success Program (CASP), they introduced me to important college programs and gave me guidance on helpful resources that I didn’t know about.
"During covid, just like everyone else, I felt alone and needed some sort of emotional and social support during these confined times. Access for Young Women (AFYW) was that support for me.
"One of the most important women in my life is my mother. She treats me and my sister so well, and she is such an inspiration to me when it comes to staying motivated and determined to succeed. She came to America when she was only 18 and went straight into working to make money.
"I have been a member of QCH's Access for Young Women (AFYW) program for some years now. At AFYW, our goals, dreams, our fears, and even our daily dose of complaining are put in conversation.
"I’ve worked for the Queens Economic Development Corporation for about 12 years. I’ve also written two books on the borough with Arcadia Publishing: Historical Houses of Queens and Famous People of Queens.
“I learned about Queens Community House through Queens College, where I’m currently studying to be an environmental studies major with a minor in urban planning.
