Stories
YouthBuild student Jasmine was part of a class-wide exercise focusing on responsibility and accountability. She was elected as leader of the group, and was given the responsibility to give assignments and tasks to her team to complete the given goal. They were given 13 tasks to complete in just 90 minutes at Tanger Outlets in Deer Park. The group had to send each completed task to the group…
When a 7.0 magnitude earthquake devastated her home in Port-au-Prince, Haiti in 2010, Reina barely understood what was happening. She watched the only life she ever knew shake, shatter and crumble until all that was left was the vague sense that she’d never return to the normalcy she once had.
Later that year, having lost neighbors and friends, she uprooted her life completely and came to the…
For John, a usual trip to the local library took a turn from the ordinary when he stumbled across a flyer that would change his life. An advertisement for YouthBuild Long Island caught his eye as he made his way to an English group conversation – a staple in his routine since he had dedicated himself to becoming fluent in English.
At the time, John was determined to go to college, but first had…
The Anthony J. Stupore Memorial Scholarship Fund was created to provide a pathway to success for students who have shown a passion for giving back to their community, and demonstrated a commitment to excelling in academics.
A bright and accomplished young woman, Epiphany has learned to take life’s challenges and turn them into opportunity. At the age of three, Epiphany was diagnosed with Ocular…
Michelle reached out to United Way of Long Island's Family Prosperity Center through a partner agency for assistance with financial responsibility. Her living situation was changing, and she was unsure about how to find new housing. After meeting with a financial counselor, Michelle was able to write down a monthly budget and break down her income vs. expenses. Her current rent was covered by the…
To Suffolk Transportation Service, Inc. (STS) Transit Bus Driver Walter Rodriguez, running for Team Mission United simply presents another opportunity to do what he does best. With ten years of running under his belt, Rodriguez has completed five TCS NYC Marathons. This year, as he embarks on his sixth, he has welcomed the chance to make it even more memorable.
“I feel very thankful and grateful…
Recognized as one of the country's premier events, the TCS NYC Marathon attracts runners from far beyond the city's five boroughs. One runner set to make the journey for the big day is Tampa resident Mark Capobianco.
Though currently a Floridian, Mark was born and raised a Long Islander. His early training for sports like hockey and boxing was rooted in the familiar terrain of his neighborhood…
If there’s one thing Samantha Maurice knows, it’s the power of perseverance. This elementary education teacher first picked up her running shoes in middle school and hasn’t put them down since. She ran cross country and track every year through college, aiming to complete her first marathon right after graduation. Now, as she joins Team Mission United, she’s ramping up her training to run her…
How do you go from loathing anything faster than a slight jog to running one of the world’s premier marathons? Just ask Political Director of the Long Island Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO Ryan Stanton.
Before meeting his wife, Kayla, Ryan merely tolerated running as part of his crossfit training – a commitment he paired with his enthusiasm for weight lifting. When he and Kayla started dating,…
When it comes to burning rubber, Michael Bingold –Executive Vice President, Director of Distribution and Client Development at Flushing Bank – knows how to put the sole to the pavement. A runner of fifteen years, Bingold has completed his fair share of races, including the Long Island and Entenmanns half marathons, many corporate challenges and the 2016 TCS NYC Marathon.
Given his extensive…