“My goal is to witness the growth of the youth. There's nothing more rewarding than observing the application of what you've taught. These lessons extend beyond the confines of the facility; they are invaluable life lessons."

“It was some time ago. During my upbringing, I faced challenging circumstances, including encounters with the juvenile justice system. While in a juvenile detention center, I had two significant experiences that left a lasting impact on me. One was negative, but the other helped me connect with my true self. This experience opened my eyes to my potential, what I could become, and what I could achieve.”

“One aspect that I find particularly appealing is the implementation of Raise the Age in New York. There are more age-appropriate programs being introduced that aim to guide young individuals toward achieving better outcomes. The variety of skill-building initiatives being established is truly exciting.”

“My Mentor is Ms. Sandra Bryce, whose current leadership at the children's center is truly inspirational. During our time together at the Office of Children and Family Services, she played a pivotal role in the opening of our 'Closer to Home' facility. Despite my limited experience, Sandra took a chance on me and offered me a position to work under her guidance. This opportunity allowed me to learn, grow, and make mistakes in a supportive environment, which ultimately shaped my professional journey. Her mentorship has been invaluable, and I am grateful for the foundation she helped me build."

“There are a few memorable moments. One took place during my time at the Office of Children and Family Services, where we held our Magic Group every evening at 6:00 PM. This group empowered kids to discover their inner magic. I remember one child sharing a difficult and traumatic experience with the group, and the empathetic responses from the other kids were truly inspiring to witness.



Additionally, whenever I'm outside the facility and hear someone call out "Nunez," I immediately know it's one of my former students. They often share their experiences and the impact those moments had on them, which always brings me a great sense of fulfillment.”

"Discover the magic inside you and accept your true self. I share this with both kids and staff to encourage them to embrace their identities. I often tell young people to 'fold your flag' and let go of the barriers they've put up. Just be your authentic self."

“Adopting a front-end strategy, we aim to create job opportunities that can steer young people away from gang involvement. Additionally, we will facilitate housing options for them once they complete their program.”

"I adopt a collaborative approach. Many individuals were operating in isolation, so I focused on uniting them. My goal is to foster a team-oriented environment that promotes collective success. I also emphasize the importance of including our front-line staff, who had previously been overlooked. I helped everyone realize that 'we can't thrive if you're not thriving.' Since then, our collaboration has become much more strategic."

"For starters, I'm a passionate Yankees fan. I spend a lot of quality time with my parents who have always supported me. In addition, I constantly reflect on and appreciate the youth I serve, dedicating time to them. Acknowledging that I have caused some harm to my community, I strive to make amends by doing good and fostering connections between neighboring projects in my old neighborhood.”