Date Published: 4/21/2016

By day, I am a high school math teacher in a rural, low income school. I am scared. I see too many teenage pregnancies, too many lives lost by suicide and too many students dropping out of high school. For whatever reason (I can think of a few), most of these are females. As a mother of two daughters myself, I feel a duty to protect my female students, try to shield them from everything that is scary or unfair. Unfortunately, some things are out of my hands.



But, not all is lost. I CAN be a role model to these girls. I can show them that hard work DOES pay off and that there ARE good people in this world. More than anything, I want to be their example of what being a good person looks like ... Hardworking, ethical, charitable, honest, kind, optimistic. Many of these girls do not have strong, positive parental relationships. For the eight hours a day I have them, however, I can be that person.



I love my job because of the difference I can make. Unfortunately, I am not able to make enough to support my wish to financially support causes I find important ... Education overseas, infant prematurity, mental illness, drug addiction. But I was given the amazing opportunity to be a merchandiser for Chloe and Isabel, a fashion jewelry brand which highly values the empowerment of women. My increasing success in a short amount of time has afforded me enough money to donate to the March of Dimes, Meningioma Mommas, Susan G. Komen.



Short term, I want to be able to donate more. Long term, I want to set-up my own non-profit which provides educational support to children, teens and adults suffering from drug addiction. Why? My brother.



He was born prematurely in 1982. At that time, infant mortality due to a premature birth was high. He almost didn't make it. But ... he did. Of the three of us, he was the most kind-hearted, always wanting everyone to be happy. But he was small for his age and got picked on a lot. He would come home with busted lips and black eyes. I guess, eventually, he had enough. That sweet boy became reserved and isolated himself from everyone. He befriended the "tough  kids" for protection. Eventually, he started smoking pot, then meth, added to cocaine added to heroine. He began dealing at a very young age. Teachers dismissed him as a hoodlum and offered no support. He was a lost boy, never to be found again. Fast forward to now, 33 years later. He is homeless, living anywhere that will take him in. He can't live at home because he assaulted my dad. Where has that sweet boy gone?



These children need adults who are willing to fight for them, to believe in them. I want to be able to develop an organization of counselors and teachers who will provide their services, at no cost, to those who believe no one cares. I care.



The more successful I am as a merchandiser, the more money I will make, which will more quickly allow me to make my dream of REALLY doing something come true.



As with any direct sale brand, however, there are only so many friends and family you can reach out to. I need mass scale social reach with like-minded fashion professionals who can help me attain my long-term goal. I think it would be incredibly awesome to work with budding fashion bloggers who are looking for fashion stylists, who are willing to allow me to style their look(s), give credit to my styling ability (styled by Jessica Hardy) while also supporting the Chloe and Isabel brand. In exchange for their support, the blogger would receive the pieces modeled for free. This will ignite increased interest in our brand, my business and, hopefully, increase my financial return.



My brother might never come back to us (I hope he does), but I can help ensure those who are on the verge of being forgotten aren't.



#desideriamo