Empowering Community Members to Find Their Passion

Can you share a bit about your journey to becoming an occupational therapist (OT) and what drew you to the field?

As a high school student, I completed all my required classes, except for several community service hours. My mom, a pediatric OT, invited me to come to her workplace to complete them. I remember watching her interact with children in fun activities such as climbing, swinging, completing puzzles, and playing games. After each session, my mom would explain to me how these swings helped them understand what their body needed and why, and how it helps to improve core and upper body strength as well. She highlighted that through utilizing puzzles and games, children were learning about sequencing, in addition to enhancing their visual skills and problem-solving abilities. As she spoke, it was as if her words were the key that unlocked a new world for me. She made me realize the interconnectedness of all things and how OT uses joy as a tool to strengthen our weaknesses. 

I’m passionate about the OT profession as it’s built on human connection, care, love, and support. From the very first time I saw an OT in action, I witnessed how these practitioners could help clients rediscover joy in their lives, while simultaneously creating a safe space for them. After realizing this authentic connection could motivate the client to tackle challenges and pursue what truly mattered to them, I knew that I wanted to focus my energy on this vital work and advance my career in this diverse field.

You’ve co-founded several initiatives—Infirnity, Glow & Grow Therapeutic Services, and LookLEADFollow. Can you tell us about the goals behind each and how they align with your personal and professional mission?

Rooted in the belief that everyone deserves access to joy, Glow & Grow began as a way for my mom and me to give back through neighborhood workshops and school consultations for OTs and classrooms. With support from the Citizens’ Committee of Children of New York grant, our vision is to expand into a wellness hub where therapists can recharge and prevent burnout. LookLEADFollow was developed during my work as a pediatric OT at a school for children on the autism spectrum. The program uses the cues “look,” “lead,” and “follow” to build independence by teaching students to observe, initiate tasks, and ask for help when needed. It covers six life-skill areas such as hygiene, food management, and dressing, with badges, homework, and community outings. Still in use today, the curriculum is available to other schools and programs. Additionally, Infirnity is a nonprofit dedicated to removing barriers to joy in underserved communities. What began with basketball programs and block parties has grown into Project Purpose, a community incubator for NYCHA residents to rediscover passions, host events and learn to become leaders in the community.

How did your background in education influence your approach as an OT and community advocate?

Completing my OTD degree at Touro helped me to discover my own purpose in this profession and beyond. No matter how much I enjoyed pediatric OT, my true passion was community work. I love helping valued members of the community gain access to the things they care about, believe in themselves, and gather in spaces where a variety of people’s gifts can be shared. 

Ironically, the same year I began my first OT job, my partner and I started Infirnity. For nearly a decade, I saw OT and community work as two very different paths. However, after leaving Touro, not only did these pieces merge, but they elevated my work beyond what I could have imagined. We created a clear mission and became an organization working to increase meaningful engagement in people’s lives. Crucial topics that were highlighted while I was a Touro student, including occupational justice and social capital theory, transformed my own understanding of the positive impact we could make, and I learned how to clearly assess, plan, and develop community programming from an OT lens.

I also learned how to form key partnerships with stakeholders, and my professors helped me to build the confidence needed to share this vision widely. In the OTD program, we’re matched with a mentor. Being partnered with Graduate School of Social Work Professor Dr. Eric Levine empowered me to overcome any challenge in my way. 

Enrolling at the School of Health Sciences was the absolute best professional and personal decision I have made in my life. It gave our nonprofit new meaning, and, in turn, it gave me new meaning. I credit Touro faculty for reinforcing the idea that OT has the potential to be one of the greatest tools in community development and remind myself of this daily in my work.

What role do you think OT can play in community development?

A huge one, if you’re willing to think beyond the traditional healthcare model. Our profession’s skills and perspective can transform how low-income communities are perceived and how they view themselves.

The traditional medical model typically has OTs identifying an individual’s limitations as a first step. In fact, the very reason clients initially meet with us is due to a weakness, disability, or needing assistance with something preventing them from fully engaging in their environment. By understanding their unique limits, we can see the client holistically and use their strengths to address specific needs.

OTs are trained to understand what brings people meaning and how to remove barriers to participation. If we take this lens into community development, we transform spaces of scarcity into ecosystems of abundance. OTs can listen to life stories, identify meaningful activities, and support participation in them with others. By empowering individuals to have access to meaningful engagement within their community, OTs can change household dynamics and revolutionize entire neighborhoods. 

You’ve built strong partnerships with local organizations and government entities. How do you approach that kind of collaboration?

Touro has played a big role in preparing me to develop a partnership network. As part of the OTD program, we had to formalize a partnership, and through this experience, I learned how to draft memorandums of understanding and lead vital meetings with executives. Now, I regularly meet with council members, community center leaders, and local stakeholders to expand our program. The key is to understand the organization’s values and clearly show how your goals align. 

Is there a success story you could highlight that stands out to you?

One of our youngest participants, Dontae Greene, was shot seven times in a random act of violence. After a long recovery, he joined our program. At first, our sessions were mostly about providing a space where he could talk about his past trauma. Over time, his energy shifted. He started smiling while sharing details about his family and came up with the idea of a chess and basketball tournament to bring his community together. Over a dozen young men from the community came out and had fun together, despite their differences. Young men who have lifestyles that often result in jail or violence were in a gym for hours where they laughed and bonded over their commonalities. Dontae had found something that he loved and shared it with others. As a result, he went from being a young man on parole to a visionary bringing chess into his community. OT supported him as he planned, organized, initiated, and executed every aspect of a community event, and the event was so successful that Dantae was excited to plan another one. And during his time in the program, he also found a job. Watching him believe in himself again has been one of the most moving moments of my career.

What advice would you give to Touro students or recent grads who want to combine clinical work with social impact?

First, think in terms of participation. Whomever your client is, wherever you are working, think long and hard about how you can increase the opportunities for them to participate with others. Closely analyze their strengths and interests and then create a path to empower them to become leaders of the movement, versus just being a part of it.

Additionally, you must understand that OT can strengthen any passion of yours. Whatever your passion is—community-building, arts & crafts, music, dance, youth empowerment, sports, and/or advocacy—I challenge you to use OT frameworks to structure it. For me, occupational justice resonated most, but there are many models out there. Learn one and apply it to the world you love and enjoy, and then invite someone into that vision.

Lastly, don’t be shy! Take your vision and partner with an organization. We live in a time where people need hope and new ways to access joy. If you have an idea that fosters connection and meaning, no matter how small it is, go for it.