For as long as Carmel could remember, she has always wanted to work with children, especially under-privileged children and those with special needs. Growing up as a member of a minority group and in an area with few community resources, Carmel experienced and witnessed discrimination first-hand. This experience has served as motivation for Carmel to go back to school and pursue a career as a psychologist. Having survived a toxic and abusive relationship, Carmel is driven to be a role model to her son and daughter. She hopes to continue her studies and one day attend Columbia University to work toward a Doctorate in Psychology.
“My motivation for seeking this award of $10,000 from The Women’s Forum is to gain some financial security which will make pursuing my education a lot less stressful and will allow me to concentrate on my studies without the constant worry of how my bills are going to get paid.”