Stories

Richard & Sonya VetsBuild graduatesOccupation: Entrepreneurs Richard and his wife Sonya are ready to start the next chapter of their lives together.   Richard served 33 years as an Air Force Reservist in a variety of capacities, including a radiology specialist. Sonya is a military wife and mother. Now, the couple is preparing to start their own business in real estate.    The couple’s…
Josh YouthBuild AlumniCollege GraduateB.S. in Business Management Josh knows not to take anything he has in life for granted. He grew up in the foster care system with his twin and older brothers, and was eventually adopted into an already large family. He remembers with a smile, “The house was almost never quiet, with a lot of people always going in and out.”    While he did not know his father…
2nd New York City MarathonInsurance Agent Rockville Centre resident Michele, who participated in Team Mission United in 2018, raised over $10,000 despite struggling with an ankle injury. She joins Team Mission United for 2019 because she knows the importance of this cause, and how vital it is to spread the word about and support those who protect our country. “I have such an appreciation for…
US Army Veteran1 Relay Marathon Completed1st Marathon, 1st New York City MarathonMechanical Engineer, CPI Aero An Army mechanic turned engineer turned marathon runner. This November, Thomas will run the 2019 TCS New York City Marathon as a member of Team Mission United.    When Thomas enlisted in the US Army, he took to running and discovered he had a strong lung capacity. Within months Thomas…
2 Marathons Completed, 1st New York City MarathonLaw Student, St. John’s University A native of Merrick, Daniel has been known since high school as “the guy running on Hewlett Avenue” but this November Daniel will be known as “the guy running through the boroughs.” He is running in the 2019 TCS New York City Marathon as a member of United Way of Long Island’s Team Mission United.   Daniel’s…
13 Marathons Completed - 1st New York City MarathonResearch Assistant, Macquarie Carly, a native Long Islander and current Bostonian, recently retired from running. That is until she discovered the opportunity to support a cause close to her heart while running her first New York City marathon.   Carly's motivation to run began after witnessing her sister's medical struggles post-stroke. As a…
1 Triathlon Completed1 Marathon Completed – 1st New York City MarathonSUNY Albany Graduate Student, Double-Major in Cybersecurity & Political Science Partly inspired by the non-fiction book Brothers Forever, one particular Bayport native has decided to support veterans and their families by running in the 2019 TCS New York City Marathon as a member of United Way of Long Island’s Team Mission…
27 Marathons Completed28th New York City MarathonElementary School Principal, Freeport Public Schools Alma, an experienced long-distance runner, is preparing to complete the 2019 TCS New York City Marathon as a member of United Way of Long Island’s Team Mission United.    At age 26, Alma immigrated to New York City from Mexico City. It was then that she ran her first New York City marathon and…
David, YouthBuild GraduateCurrent Occupation: Structural Mechanic David, a recent graduate of YouthBuild Long Island, knows the struggle of trying to escape a cycle of poor decisions. He remembers being unsure of his future, not sure where to turn and feeling deeply depressed with his purpose in life. He remembers thinking, “I need to get help, and if I don’t get help now, it’s going to be too…
Romann VetsBuild Alumni, Class of 2013 Petty Officer 2nd Class, US Navy Veteran US Navy Reserves Occupation: Program Analyst, US Dept. of Veterans Affairs Romann served two tours, totaling seven years, in the U.S. Navy – one world tour and one West Pacific tour – before entering the U.S. Navy Reserves and serving an additional tour in Kuwait. Having traveled the world at sea, Romann was…