I plan on going back to school soon to build a career in Photojournalism. I love to write, take pictures, travel and see new things. I believe education is very important and having a degree can broaden your horizons. I also believe you should never give up on your dreams! Strive to be the best with your desires and interests.
My name is Theresa and I was born and raised in Southeast DC. Growing up, I struggled in school and was trying to keep a job at the same time. Meanwhile I was taking care of my grandmother. Also at one point my friend moved in with me and my family and that marked a scary turning point in my life She went from my best friend to my worst enemy. She turned out to be manipulative and violent which eventually caused me to fear for my life. The situation led to constant headaches, a lot of stress and depression as well. I even had to get a restraining order against her. My dad would threaten to kick me out if I didn’t do better, educational and work wise. It was a very depressing and stressful time.
I dropped out of school in 2009 and started speaking to a Sasha Bruce Youthwork counselor in Project HYPE, Ms. Vicki. I heard about Sasha Bruce Youthwork through the organization SMYAL. SMYAL is LGBTQ organization for youth which I heard about through my school counselor. They could no longer offer me services after I turned 21 so my counselor referred me to Sasha Bruce Youthwork because they could help me. Ms.Vicki became my counselor at Sasha Bruce. She is so nice and caring and helped me make goals and get back on track in life. She even helped me get a job as Sasha Bruce’sPOWER program! I started work at Sasha Bruce’s POWER in July 2010. POWER is Sasha Bruce’s sexual health and wellness program. We do HIV testing, pregnancy testing, counseling, and give out safer sex kits and hygiene kits.
I also volunteered to help with the Blitz Build for the new RE*Generation House on D street. I liked taking pictures of the house and volunteers who were helping to make it. I’m excited that the house is almost finished and that youth will be able to live there soon!
I plan on going back to school soon to build a career in Photojournalism. I love to write (poetry mostly) ,take pictures, and I would love to travel and see new things. I believe education is very important and having a degree can broaden your horizons. I also believe you should never give up on your dreams! Strive to be the best with your desires and interests.
I am where I am today because of Sasha Bruce Youthwork. It made me more aware of things. Outside of Sasha Bruce, I never knew about HIV, STDS, or AID’s. It amazed me to know that I would be helping homeless youth find a place to stay and help them further their goals in the future. I like helping my peers as well. It’s about letting people know that we’re here to help.