Joel, 19 years old, Originally from New York, Attends New Heights Neighborhood Center in Washington Heights

My name is Joel and I am nineteen years old. I was born here in the United States. My parents are originally from the Dominican Republic. I was raised like any other child. At the age of fifthteen I was sent away to Florida because of my bad behavior. As a New Yorker I felt weird being there. I did not know anybody and I wasn’t familiar with the area. I spend most of my high school years down in Florida. Little by little I got to meet new people and know the area as well. At the age of seventeen I moved back to New York.

In this present time I’m living in Washington heights. I am now trying to get myself together so I am attending New Heights Neighborhood Center to obtain my GED, in order to go to college. I believe going to college will open more doors in the future and will allow me to succeed in life