One day about sixteen years ago, a little girl named Joselyn Lopez-Bonilla  arrived at  the Cypress Hills Child Care Corporation Head Start Program. At the time no one knew that this child would turn into a star, but she did. 

Over the years Joselyn’s teachers recognized both her intelligence and her dedication. She won numerous awards in elementary school, was a member of the National Honor Society in high school and graduated Valedictorian of her class at the High School for Public Services-Heroes for Tomorrow. In addition to her academic achievements, while attending high school, she worked as a tutor , interned in the Museum of Art and Design and in the summer of  senior year she worked at WQXR, NYC classical music station. In addition, she always found time in her busy schedule, to volunteer at our agency. On her own Joselyn took the time and effort to apply to a number of first tier colleges, aware that she was not only was requesting admission but also a full scholarship including room and board.  Due to her incredible tenacity and amazing grades she was granted a full four-year scholarship, to attend Dartmouth College,  where she is studying Biomedical Engineering. 

 Jocelyn's mom, who has multiple health issues to contend with, suffered a serious fall last year and broke her ankle in several  places needing to be hospitalized for a few months. Her father, Oscar, who is in his early sixties, had worked for the same factory for over 20 years but  found himself unemployed when in September the factory laid off most employees. He has seeked work at restaurants, fast food chains, stores, factories in Brooklyn and Manhattan willing to do any type of work but nothing has materialized. These events have sent  the family into a downward spiral, they are five months behind on their rent, facing eviction and barely have money to pay for food and minor essentials. Jocelyn, who has a P/T job at school, tries to send money home but the need is far greater that what she can afford to send. It would be a travesty if Joselyn were to quit school, she is a brilliant student with an amazing future who is torn between helping her family and staying in school.