Isaiah Immanuel Cruz/Asiste
Make a Better Life Foundation
He was born in Boston, Massachusetts, to Denise Beltran and Benvindo Cruz. He attended elementary school at PS 272 and IS 366 in New York City. He attended Edward R Murrow High School, majoring in theater studies. He is currently attending college at City College of New York (CUNY), majoring in Special Education. He is currently a Parent and Family Coordinator at PS 272.
It should be noted that Cruz is passionate about working with women who have experienced domestic violence because he believes in restoring women after experiencing this type of trauma. The reasons for this perspective stem from his own experience with his mother, who was a victim of domestic violence, and the difficult path she had to take to gain her freedom.
In this sense, he identifies with this type of social situation and wants to be an entity that contributes to reducing this global social scourge. He sees this situation daily at work with a large number of people whose situations were similar to his mother's. He knows what it's like to see an abused mother, and based on his experience, there's almost nothing that can be done about it; only a fragile line to intervene and hope for the best.
This situation has shaped a life philosophy that he expresses in the following way: "I have understood that this is the time to act on behalf of women who have suffered domestic violence. It is the time to make a difference with my voice, with my strength, with my dedication, and to do the right thing, as if each woman were my mother. It's time to act!"