"As someone who aged out of New Jersey’s child welfare system, I know firsthand the challenges youth face when transitioning into adulthood—homelessness, food insecurity, legal barriers, and lack of family support. After navigating these hardships and graduating from Kean University with a degree in Sociology and Criminal Justice, I turned my lived experience into purpose.

I spent years working across nonprofits focused on group home youth, disability inclusion, and violence prevention. But in 2023, we launched Str8Up Employment Services to serve youth aging out of care directly, and to assist families in need of a bridge to access opportunity —those that are too often overlooked and underserved.

Str8Up offers employment readiness, trauma-informed mentorship, and real-world resources to help young adults build stable, meaningful lives. My leadership is grounded in authenticity: I s walked this path, and now Im building better ones for others.

The vision is clear—no young person should age out alone.No family should struggle with barriers to sustainable employment. Through community partnerships, career development, and holistic support,  Str8Up is breaking cycles and creating opportunities—from the system to self-sufficiency."