GIVING BACK
As someone who grew up in and out of foster care, I know how
vital it is for children to have safe spaces and access to books.
As a child, public libraries were my refuge and lifeline, opening doors to knowledge, hope, and healing when I needed it most. Beyond my work in publishing, giving back is a personal commitment rooted in my own journey. Today, I support organizations that champion foster youth and strengthen our public libraries. My mission is to use my voice—and my work—to make a meaningful impact and help others discover theirs.
GRATITUDE & HAPPYISH ENDINGS
No matter the adversity I faced growing up—especially as a teen runaway without a mother to guide me—becoming a mom has been my greatest triumph. My past, though challenging, became the source of my deepest compassion and strength. Today, I am most proud of the love I share with my children, a love shaped by everything I missed and everything I’ve overcome. I hope that by giving back, we can help more young people find support, hope, and a brighter path forward—so that one day, they too can create families filled with love and possibility.
SUPPORTING CHILDREN WITHOUT FAMILIES
The Smallest Voices Need the Loudest Support
Social Workers Can Be A Foster Child's Superhero
Hunter College School of Social Work
Hosted by Fostering Change for Children
I grew up in and out of the NY State foster care system. In this presentation to graduating social work students at Hunter College, I shared my journey through the foster care system and the realities of surviving abuse as a child. My story is meant to be a testament to the profound difference one dedicated social worker can make—someone who stepped in and changed the course of my life in 1982. This video is both a tribute and a call to action, reminding us that every social worker has the power to be a child’s hero.
ORGANIZATIONS YOU CAN SUPPORT
SUPPORTING PUBLIC LIBRARIES
Libraries are Safe Spaces for Learning & Endless Wonder
Libraries can Be The Safe Haven A Child Needs
As a child, I would sometimes walk miles just to reach the nearest library. Each book I found there was a treasure, and the quiet, orderly atmosphere offered a safe haven away from the chaos and abuse at home. In those silent aisles, I visited new worlds, learned about humanity, and found stories with hope and happy endings. Those experiences fueled my curiosity, inspired me to excel academically, and ultimately shaped my passion for all things literary. Today, as a publisher and author ally, I know firsthand how vital libraries are for children seeking safety, inspiration, and a sense of possibility.
