This mom and grad student lives in Ohio with her children and loves helping people. She reached out to Aid Access to proceed with a medical abortion. She discusses the process, as well as her experience at an anti-abortion center. She administers an abortion support group on Facebook and wants to serve as an example and support system for those seeking abortions.
Read MoreMegan Williamson
Megan Williamson talks about the differences in care she received with a PPO versus Medicare and Medicaid. She also talks about the constant profiling she receives when she visits doctors or hospitals. Her experiences have left a traumatic mark in how she approaches the healthcare system.
"A"
Our narrator has made several redactions, including her name, in this audio to protect her and her family’s identities. “A” speaks quickly and with great conviction. She discusses her experience in foster care and as well as her experiences and opinions on traditional healthcare systems.
Read MorePaul Ruperintwari
Paul Ruperintwari uses his own experience as a refugee to help him connect to the clients of the I-RISE program.
Read MoreCira Cruz
Cira Cruz recalls her difficult life in the rural state of Oaxaca, México, and her experiences with agriculture. She describes the challenges that pushed her and her family to migrate to the United States.
Read MoreParnika Celly
Parnika Celly is finishing up her Master’s degree in social work and is an intern at I-RISE. She recently initiated Creative Connections to provide a virtual arts development space for the I-RISE community.
Read MoreDoraelia Aguilar
Doraelia Aguilar is a coordinator at Landers Garden. She discusses how COVID-19 has impacted the social aspects of the gardening community and the habits she hopes to teach her children through gardening.
Read MoreEmma Sanchez
Emma Sanchez grew up in a small town in El Salvador and her life was directly impacted by war and conflict, including the murder of her father in 1989. She narrates several difficult periods of her life: the murder of her father when she was 8, the kidnapping and disappearance of her brother in 2010, the long-term illness of her mother, and the COVID-19 pandemic, which affected her entire family.
Read MoreMatthew Novis
New Brunswick native Matthew Novis details his journey with substance abuse disorders and his relationship to being precariously housed as a formerly incarcerated individual. Matthew details his concerns for his town and for others facing houselessness.
Read MoreAruna Rao
Founder of Desi Rainbow Parents & Allies, Aruna Rao discusses growing up in India, and moving to the US in the late 1980s. She talks about raising her transgender child, and how she is now able to track the process of her child’s ability to express their identity. She emphasizes how difficult it was for her to notice some of these important expressions in real-time, as she was dealing with family traumas throughout her child’s adolescence. She is a proud LGBTQ+ rights activist, and serves on the national board of PFLAG (Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays).
Read MoreTony Harris
Vietnam Veteran Tony Harris experienced houselessness after a heart attack. He found support at Elijah’s Promise.
Read MoreRodney
Paterson native Rodney experienced houslessness after a car accident. He was able to find housing through Triple C Housing and has found a community at Elijah’s Project.
Read MoreKatura Williams
Katura Williams has experienced an abusive home life several times in her life. She has had a substance abuse disorder and served a five year prison sentence for assault. She is now certified in culinary arts, but is stuck in New Brunswick because of car issues. She is utilizing the resources at Elijah’s Promise until her car can be fixed so that she can go home.
Read MoreTown Clock CDC Resident
This Town Clock CDC resident details their upbringing in Canada and New Jersey, and the domestic abuse that occurred in their family. They describe the physical and verbal abuse they encountered during their second marriage and the traumatic circumstances that occurred during their separation from their spouse. It was during this point that they found the services provided at Town Clock CDC.
Read MoreRon Pierce
Growing up, Ron Pierce was taught the importance of voting and voted in every election that he could up until 1986 when was arrested. Ron believes that voting is a way to further democracy and help one’s community. He is a Democracy and Justice Fellow for the New Jersey Institute of Social Justice. He is working on getting voting rights restored for individuals on parole.
Read MoreMark Hopkins
Mark Hopkins experiences with the justice system started when he was a child. He discusses growing up in Camden, as well as the experience of being on parole. He is a dedicated organizer, who is actively involved in the NJ STEP program.
Read More