I found myself alone, depressed and in survival mode at 17. I had just given birth to my son and as I looked into his eyes all I could muster up to say was, "its going to be you and me forever." I was now 19, a high school dropout, a survivor of domestic violence and I had to flee from Chicago with my son to Brooklyn, NY to get away from my abuser! I moved in with my father and little sister in Ridgewood Queens, I found the love of my life, Felix and together we raised our three kids together in Brooklyn!

 

My life was not where it was but there was a new battle to fight . . . poverty! My husband and I scraped together all we could to make sure our kids ate every night. We raised our children in Los Sures (Southside Williamsburg, Brooklyn) throughout the 90's and early 2000's. Southside Williamsburg back then was far from what it is today; it was a neighborhood that dripped with our Puerto Rican pride but was also plagued with poverty, violence, drugs, gangs and a sense of community. I self published a book entitled, "No Longer Battered," which is a collection of my original poems and it proved therapeutic for me at the time.  I described a lot of what I endured during my time in Chicago.  I began to get involved in my neighborhood and joined coalitions and groups to advocate for our community and our youth. I would have never guessed that the next 18 years of my life would be the rollercoaster it was, but thanks be to God he saw me through every step of the way!

 

In 1998 I began to feed my faith in the Lord and I must say I would not be here to share my story had it not been for my Heavenly Father! I live my life marked by being a woman of great faith! And boy did I need that faith because my eldest son began the mother of all teenage rebellions and I fought the system to keep my family intact! 

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Fast forward to today; I have earned 3 degrees including a Master's Degree in School Counseling. I have worked in the Department of Education for that past 19 years serving students and families and advocating for them every chance I get!  I am also proud to be a part of the New York State Realtors Association as a licensed realtor for the past 14 years.  

 

I hope to use my past, present and all of the resources available to me to help, guide and support the adolescents and families that will come through our doors at ID House!  It  is an honor and privilege for me to work alongside of my daughter, Starr and support her during this amazing time in her life!  I am so proud of her and her vision for the adolescents of NYC!!  She is strong, passionate and such a visionary!  I along with my family whole heartedly support the vision and mission of ID House and will willingly serve the teens of NYC!

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God bless you!

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 Monsie Felicier, COO