There’s something sacred about a fresh start. A new school year always brings with it the scent of dry-erase markers, neatly stacked notebooks, and that tingling mix of excitement and nerves as the first bell rings.

About three years ago, I was approached by The Our Fund Foundation with an unexpected invitation.

In the vibrant heart of Fort Lauderdale, the United Church of Christ (UCC) stands as a sanctuary of compassion, inclusion, and unwavering service. At the core of its outreach are two powerful initiatives: the Ruth Ministry and the Angel Fund, programs that provide real help and restore dignity to those experiencing homelessness or crisis in Broward County.

When I was a little girl growing up in Puerto Rico, I dreamed of telling stories and had so many that lived inside of me, and others that still do. I’d scribble in notebooks, pretending to be Lois Lane, never imagining that my life’s plot twist wouldn’t just happen on the page, it would happen in real life.