Stories

Alma
29th New York City Marathon
Elementary School Principal
Alma is grateful to be on United Way of Long Island’s Team Mission United, raising funds for veterans and those affected by COVID-19 in her community.
In 2020, the New York City Marathon was cancelled due to the pandemic. Despite this, Alma remained committed to fundraising for her community during its time of need, and she also…

Alex
1st New York City Marathon
Operations Specialist
Alex is grateful to be on United Way of Long Island’s Team Mission United, raising funds for veterans and those affected by COVID-19 in his community.
In 2020, the New York City Marathon was cancelled due to the pandemic. Despite this, Alex remained committed to fundraising while also participating in the virtual New York Road Runners’ Run…

Chris
1st New York City Marathon
Operations Manager
Chris is grateful to be on United Way of Long Island’s Team Mission United, raising funds for veterans and those affected by COVID-19 in his community.
In 2020, the New York City Marathon was cancelled due to the pandemic. Despite this, Chris remained committed to fundraising for his community during its time of need, and he also…

Iva
4 Half-Marathons Completed, 1st New York City Marathon
People's United Bank
Iva is grateful to be on United Way of Long Island’s Team Mission United, raising funds for veterans and those affected by COVID-19 in her community.
In 2020, the New York City Marathon was cancelled due to the pandemic. Despite this, Iva remained committed to fundraising for her community during their time of need…
Jen
2nd New York City Marathon
Teacher, Kings Park Central School District
Jen is grateful to be on United Way of Long Island’s Team Mission United, raising funds for veterans and those affected by COVID-19 in her community.
In 2020, the New York City Marathon was cancelled due to the pandemic. Despite this, Jen remained committed to fundraising for her community during their time of need; she…

Denise
Project Warmth Recipient
Denise is a strong-willed, full-time working mom of three children... all live at home and all depend on her, which presents its own challenges. But six years ago tragedy struck when Denise’s house was significantly damaged in a fire, which left her and her family in a dire situation. She is still struggling to rebuild her life after this tragedy. More recently,…

Tahjaray
Patricia Michels Memorial Scholarship RecipientYouthBuild Graduate
Tahjaray is no stranger to challenges or adversities. She has faced several in her lifetime but always came out stronger than she was before. She moved from Virginia to New York to provide a better life for herself and her son.
The search for an improved quality of life led her to YouthBuild Long Island. Her goal was…
Christopher & Eric
Anthony J. Stupore DREAMS Scholarship Recipients
Eric and Christopher are twin brothers who graduated from Seaford High School. Both have overcome adversity in their lives. Their father, absent for most of the time due to addiction and incarceration, left the family when the boys were young. Their mother struggled to raise and support three children and a grandparent on…

La’Kasha
Patricia Michels Memorial Scholarship Recipient
YouthBuild Graduate
La’Kasha is a career-focused, compassionate, patient and adaptable young woman. She entered YouthBuild Long Island to improve her education qualifications and career training. Currently, she has secured her TASC high school equivalency diploma and plans on attending college for a nursing degree.
The road has not been…
Marie
DREAMS For Youth Scholarship Recipient
Marie is a strong-willed and accomplished young woman. As a United Way of Long Island DREAMS for Youth Scholarship recipient, Marie is ensuring that she puts her education to its maximum use. Not even a year has passed since graduating college and she has already begun a thriving career as an artist, administrator and educator.
Since graduation,…