Brielle: Founder and Executive Director of Heartfelt Connections
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From an early age, I have been driven by a profound commitment to community service and social impact. This passion has shaped my academic pursuits, extracurricular activities, and personal growth, culminating in the founding of Heartfelt Connections, a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering youth through civic engagement.
My journey in philanthropy began in elementary school when I co-founded my first nonprofit with my sister. Our organization focused on social action projects throughout the community, specifically geared towards children in elementary and middle school. Our mission was to introduce young people to civic service, fostering a sense of social responsibility from an early age. As part of this initiative, we created a radio show that highlighted young changemakers in our community, which quickly gained traction and was featured on local South Florida radio stations. This project evolved into a biweekly segment on an iHeart Media station, reaching a wider audience and inspiring more youth to engage in community service.
Leveraging my experience in youth engagement and community outreach, I established Heartfelt Connections at the age of 14. This organization serves as a bridge between nonprofit organizations and young volunteers, utilizing a biweekly radio podcast to showcase volunteer opportunities and inspire civic participation. Through this platform, I have honed my skills in leadership, project management, and strategic communication.
Parallel to my philanthropic endeavors, I have pursued a career in modeling, walking for renowned designers at New York, Paris, London, and Milan Fashion Weeks. This experience has not only taught me the value of professionalism and perseverance but has also provided a unique platform to advocate for social causes on a global stage.
My academic performance reflects the same dedication and rigor I apply to my extracurricular pursuits. I have maintained a high GPA while balancing my responsibilities as a student, entrepreneur, and community leader.
Looking ahead, I am eager to further develop my skills in nonprofit management, social entrepreneurship, and public policy. More importantly, I am passionate about pursuing a doctoral degree in child psychology, with the ultimate goal of becoming a licensed child therapist. I believe that my experiences with Heartfelt Connections, combined with rigorous academic training at the doctoral level, will equip me to provide crucial mental health support to children and adolescents, driving meaningful change on both individual and systemic levels. My aspiration to become a doctor in child therapy aligns perfectly with my longstanding commitment to youth empowerment and community service.
Through my nonprofit work, I have discovered my capacity to inspire others, create systemic change, and amplify the voices of those in need. I am committed to continuing this work throughout my academic career and beyond, with the goal of fostering a more engaged, compassionate, and equitable society.
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