Sometimes just seeing resilience can change out mindset and unlock our own resilience. That’s our hope with the Portraits of Resilience series – we hope the stories below will inspire you to tap into your own resilience.
J Marcellas Williams
I come from a family that did not have a lot of money. My mother and father raised eight children with very little. There were days that the lights were off and there was no food in the refrigerator. There were other days where we would come home and all of our things would be out on the side of the curb because we were being put out and we would have to walk our things to the next best place because we did not have a vehicle. It was rough. But through all of those constant struggles my mother and father never left us. Read more>>
Shuang Cai
Resilience for me comes from three key sources: humor, community, and creativity. One perfect example of these three coming together is the Spamtember show at All Street. The event transformed something as trivial as a spam message into an opportunity for laughter and playful exploration, using humor to diffuse the stress of creative challenges. Community was at the heart of Spamtember, as 19 artists came together to collaborate and share in the collective process, turning a spontaneous idea into something meaningful. Read more>>
Brittney Hawkins-dobard
Being born and raised in New Orleans, resilience was something I learned early on. Growing up in public housing, I witnessed a lot—crime, drugs, abuse, and loss were not just stories but realities that affected my family and those close to me. We moved frequently, searching for stability, but by the time I was in middle school, we finally settled into a better environment, and life started to improve. Read more>>
Elvira Burgo
It comes from God, my choices, a learned response, and my work as a Happiness Club facilitator. Resilience is a gift, really, like all gifts that come from God. I’ve experienced much in my life as a military wife. The military lifestyle is not something I was prepared for, but God was there for me, and he still is. Some of the lessons learned along the way were that no matter what happens, I will be okay. That knowing is significant, but the more incredible lesson was that no matter the challenges, there was the good. Read more>>
Liz Espina
My resilience comes from my family, my roots, and my homeland, Venezuela. Growing up in Venezuela, I learned to face challenges head-on, and that sense of determination has only deepened since becoming an immigrant. Moving to a new country forces you to adapt, persevere, and find strength in the face of uncertainty. Being an immigrant has made me resilient—it’s taught me to push through adversity, remain hopeful, and always find a way forward. My family and my cultural background are the foundation of that resilience, constantly reminding me of where I come from and the strength within me to keep moving toward my dreams. Read more>>
Katherine Chung
I like to think I get my resilience from my mom, but in truth, I believe it comes from my sister. My older sister was a true warrior, battling a rare disease through countless procedures, hospital stays, and home care. She passed away in 2016 from the same disease we both share, and it was only then that I fully understood the strength she had. Her life and her fight shaped who I am today and continue to inspire my own resilience. Read more>>
Larry Silver
My resilience comes from my upbringing as a child. We had to make things work, even if certain resources were off for the moment (internet, cable, lights, etc.) to cut back on costs. I can recall going to work with my mom in the evenings to help out instead of playing with other kids. These places and situations pushed me in later years to count every win, blessing, and opportunity I received because I did experience having to go without certain comforts or privileges that others may ignore. I’ve learned that obstacles are not just happening to me – but for me- in order to evolve. Read more>>
Sophia Marrapodi-bove’
Growing up, I had a pretty confusing childhood. Grew up in a pretty rough neighborhood but at the same time we would travel a lot. We would get food donated to us and my mom working as a corrections officer and working the night shift , would bring home “jail food” so we could have food. But then my dad, which I would see every 2 weeks , didn’t have this issue. But my dad situation was not ideal. So I knew I had to take care of myself most times. Not because love wasn’t there just my parents were doing the best they could and not handling it in the best forms but I knew love was there. Read more>>
Sergio Carrasco
My resilience comes from my mother. When she arrived in this country, she didn’t know the language, and shortly after, my father—her husband—was tragically murdered when I was just two years old. Despite battling depression and facing the immense challenges of being in a foreign land without support, she never gave up. She worked two jobs, ensuring we always had a roof over our heads and food on the table. No matter how hard life became, she persevered. Whenever I face difficulties, I reflect on her strength and sacrifices, and I push forward. Read more>>
Collin Reynolds
My mom and dad
While I’ve been through my own fair share of adversity, my parents were prime examples of how to handle difficult times. My father in particular always stressed to me that anything in life worth having doesn’t come easy while also instilling in me the concept of “Potential Unlimited” a phrase i still use today. Read more>>
Arda Ren
Due to the nature of my work, I have to be in the office 10 hours a day, 7 days a week which can get quite hard on the body. However, loving your work definitely helps your mind deal with the exhaustion. I would definitely say that passion is what drives me forward. Read more>>
