Christina

Christina DeJesus, a striking 20-yr old, is nothing short of amazing. Brimming with self-confidence and charisma, Christina engenders wonder, respect and admiration.

It wasn’t always this way.

In 2004, Christina was arrested following a dangerous assault. “I was very aggressive, short tempered, irresponsible and truant, “ Christina recalled. “I had lost respect for myself, others and lost desire for an education.”

“Helping Others Helped Me”

Heading nowhere fast, SCAN stepped in and gradually Christina began to see herself and her future differently. “I was the first female Peer Leader. I started to help the others and then I realized I was helping myself. I became a Peer Leader because I felt like I could make a difference. When I meet someone on a path to destruction, I want them to see they can change. I saw that I used to be a negative leader. Then I saw that you could take the same leadership role and put it in a positive way.”

Christina, then pregnant, went on to graduate from high school and subsequently enrolled at Bronx Community College, where she is working toward her BA degree in nursing. Explaining what gives her such drive, she says, “I practice things I learned at SCAN on my 2-yr old. He’s the one that keeps me going.”