Arleen Palma
Although it’s been years since I faced a challenging time in my life, my mom still struggles to talk about it without breaking down. The thought of losing me is incredibly painful for her, and she has always been my inspiration and a driving force behind my dreams. Throughout my life, she has supported my sisters and me unconditionally.
When we first learned about the coronavirus, I wasn’t initially too scared; the medical community was downplaying its seriousness compared to the flu. But as the weeks progressed, it became clear how dangerous the virus truly was. My biggest concern was for my mom, who has underlying health issues. I remember going to CVS to pick up her diabetes medication, and the cashier asked if I was scared. I replied that I wasn’t allowed to be scared. The truth is, I was scared. In medical school, we often forget that we’re human, grappling with emotions just like everyone else. My mentor, Ms. Hillary, would remind me that it's okay to feel scared. She was right. While doctors and nurses on the frontlines are incredibly brave, we also experience fear—fear of spreading the virus to our loved ones.
But I know that becoming a doctor is my purpose, and I feel honored to stand alongside extraordinary professionals who are fighting this virus day and night. I know my mom is proud of me, and her only wish is for me to keep helping others.
Seven years ago, I might not have imagined being here. At that time, I struggled to understand my worth and direction. Today, I embrace my story and use it as inspiration for others, thanks to my incredible mentor. My first meeting with Ms. Hillary on March 25, 2013, was a turning point. I remember crying because I finally found someone who recognized my potential and was willing to support me in becoming who I was meant to be. I realized that my life was not meant to fit into a “normal” mold; instead, it was meant for something greater.
My dream is to become a doctor who helps others in a holistic way. I want to serve as both a mentor and a physician, guiding people to listen to their bodies and make informed healthcare choices. I’ve learned to accept and surrender to my purpose, understanding that my life is not just about me but about every person I encounter.
As Ms. Hillary always says, “Get ready, many blessings are coming your way!” I can attest that my life is becoming a dream come true because I have learned to appreciate my blessings and refuse to give up.
This tribute is for those who have forgotten "why they are here," especially my cousin Kevin. Thanks to the Rose2Hope mentoring program, I am now pursuing my dream of becoming a doctor and am currently in my third year of medical school.
Azalie Lopez
“When I was around 4 years old, I was molested by a close family friend. This experience scarred me in ways that I did not realize or understand until later in life. I’ve been taken advantage of several times throughout my whole life by different people, and I didn’t know how to stand up for myself when I felt that something wasn’t right. I was so used to letting people overstep my boundaries. I had to work really hard in my recent adult years to undo all the damage that not only others caused me, but that I had also caused myself.
I didn’t feel worthy of good things. I never felt like I was enough. I was so accustomed to appeasing others because I cared so much about what others thought of me that I never stopped to think of putting myself first for once. I didn’t feel that I was worthy of healthy love. The only guys I ever took an interest in were guys that were broken, like I was. I never thought there was hope for me, so the only way I felt better was by helping others. I slowly drained myself physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.
I completely stopped caring about myself, my feelings, and my life. I was going to college, but I didn’t even care for school anymore. I had completely lost my passion to live. I didn’t see the point of living if I felt like such a failure as a friend, a sister, and a daughter. I never knew what it felt like to be proud of myself. I sat and wondered if there’d ever be a day when I wouldn’t feel so depressed, anxious, and suicidal.
This is who I was when God first put Ms. Hillary in my path. The moment I spoke to Ms. Hillary, she told me her vision for Rose 2 Hope. I didn’t know it then, but Rose 2 Hope was exactly what I had been needing my whole life. As the eldest daughter of 3, with immigrant parents, I never had guidance on how to maneuver through the different stages of life. I felt such an enormous weight on my shoulders to be the best example for my younger siblings, and to make my parents proud. I had never believed in myself. Even through many of my great accomplishments, I suffered from imposter syndrome. I couldn’t accept that I was the one achieving great things. I was never satisfied with anything that I did and was never able to stop and enjoy the milestones in my life.
Once I met Ms. Hillary and became a part of Rose 2 Hope, my journey of healing had begun. I feel that I’ve grown so much spiritually, mentally, and emotionally in the last 3 years of my life. Through Ms. Hillary and all the involvement I had with Rose 2 Hope, I was able to finally view my life, and myself, through a different lens. I have listened to numerous guest speakers that have opened up about their lives and explained to us how they got to where they are now and how they achieved their career goals, many of which we were also aspiring to obtain. I didn’t realize how similar I was to all of them and it made me realize that I’m not alone. We all have struggles, but through good support, we can do anything we put our minds to. I had never experienced such a motivating group of people. I was used to being surrounded by the “every man for himself” mentality.
It was also through one of our assignments in Rose 2 Hope’s mentorship program called “Daily Affirmations” that I finally began to see myself for how worthy and capable I always was. It’s been 3 and a half years since I joined Rose 2 Hope and I am now able to celebrate my current and even my past accomplishments. I no longer suffer from anxiety for constantly worrying about the future. I no longer dwell in my past and let it limit me. Ms. Hillary always reminds me of who I am because sometimes we forget, but I feel so much stronger now because of all the support I’ve had through the org.
It was because of Rose 2 Hope that I graduated from my university with a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing and am now working in the Marketing Department of Goya Foods Inc.’s corporate headquarters. I am so grateful for Rose 2 Hope and I can’t wait to see what my future has in store for me.”
Hanzel Escorcia
“ I grew up with the sense that if I couldn’t feel, I would survive. As a result my emotions barely existed. With no emotions to remind me I was human, I slowly entered into depression where all I was surrounded by was emptiness and rage. I was only 12 when I first realized it would be ok to die, I wouldn’t care. Days of feeling like that turned to months, then to years. I met Ms. Hillary two weeks after my older brother committed suicide. She was there with an open heart and offered me the mentoring program @rose2hope.
I am so proud to call myself one of her “kids” like she likes to call us. Through the mentoring program, I realized that I have a lot to live for. That I have so many goals and dreams I want to accomplish. I been in the organization for 6 years and it has open many positive doors. When I think about @rose2hope I think of opportunity, safety, hope, and ultimately freedom. I feel the program gives youth and young adults a chance in this world. To me it’s been a blessing and it will continue to help me and others to gain skills to cope with the world and to turn our minds from becoming self crippling. Instead help us to accomplish our dreams and goals. I am now a photographer and mentor and hope to inspire others through my purpose.
Years have come and gone and like most things that sail in the flow of life, I have journeyed and made progress. While I was in the depths of my depression, I gave myself an ultimatum. If I turn 23 years old and nothing gets better, then I am better off not being alive. I made this choice when I was only 17 years old. I am now 24, halfway to 25. My due date for suicide has come and gone but I am STILL HERE! Years back, I set out to accomplish one of my goals which was to buy and live in a van exploring what this great country has to offer. On July of 2019, I embarked on a journey to California to pick up my van. I bought a one-way plane ticket and drove my van back to NJ in only 4 days. Nothing will beat sleeping in the canyons of Wyoming or smelling the Utah air. The van may just be a car to most, but to me it is an emblem of growth. A badge that shows that I have overcome my own mind and the obstacles put in my way. Ultimately, an icon of freedom. When I originally made my choice to live out my dreams by participating in van life, I was hit with an unnecessary amount of resistance. From my own self crippling doubts and fear of failure, to the very vocal disapproval of my family and surprisingly, a good portion of my friends. You would think that the very people who want to see you happy would support you to chase after your dreams. The good thing is I am more stubborn then a mule and kept pressing on towards my dreams in the face of adversity. I’m grateful to have had the support system I did throughout my past few years, such as the close knit group I have here at Rose 2 Hope because, without the support of what I can call a second family, I may have been another person who decided their dreams were too hard to follow and given up on it. Or worse, I actually could have followed through on my oldest plans and not be here. It could have been bad, but here I am. I am 24 but most importantly ALIVE! I look forward to driving the van and having many adventures”
RJ Thach
“My family originated from Southeast Asia from a country called Cambodia. My mother and father immigrated to the United States after the Vietnam war. They had to leave everything they knew behind, including their family. Growing up I struggled with depression. I wish people would understand it isn’t just a feeling that can go away so easy. It’s these constant negative thoughts putting you down, overthinking, and making you believe you are not worthy. At times it can make you feel like complete shit and want to do terrible things to yourself. I am, however, learning I am not alone and have had the opportunity to meet others at Rose 2 Hope who also struggle like me. That alone has been beyond rewarding. With Rose 2 Hope, they all make me feel like I am family even though at first we were all complete strangers. It has made me open up and think about how positive life can be. It has shown me that youth like myself can obtain their dream job or still chase their dreams and have a good future. Being with the organization has been incredible and being able to be a part of their family is completely life changing. I don’t feel alone anymore and I know they will support me in my dreams. I really enjoy cooking, it is a time where I can be creative, different, and relaxed. My dream is to own a restaurant or become a famous chief. I just really enjoy the idea of food being from all different cultures/countries and it brings people together. You can make people happy through cooking and I wish to bring that to others. I personally look up to Gordon Ramsey and David Chang and hope to one day be in their foot steps. They are both truth to who they are and bring that to their cooking. I am still in High School but I now look forward to my future, something that before Rose 2 Hope I didn’t think was possible” “After being a part of the organization, I feel it has given me the motivation to keep pushing foward to try to achieve my dreams and my lifetime goals for the future. It's crazy just knowing that there are people who are willing to risk everything for you just so you can get to where you want to be. It gives me hope that there will always be someone in my life that wants me to be better and wants me to achieve my goals. But not only that, but also help me stay on that path. There was this special moment that meant a lot to me during the Rose Initiative program this past summer where one of the head mentors Hanzel, pulled me aside and said that he wanted to give me something. At that moment I just thought it was a piece of advice. But it wasn't, it was actually a Menu From Hell's kitchen but it was signed by Gordon Ramsay. I had mentioned to them Gordon Ramsay is someone I look up to and hope to one day visit his restaurant. That moment, I was completely speechless, I didn't know what to do, say or anything in general. All I felt was this couldn’t be real, I was in complete shock and amazed at what I was receiving. I am beyond grateful, it means a lot to me.”