Crystal lives in HSVS’ Youth Residence in the New Brighton neighborhood of Staten Island. Whether they spend time ice skating at Clove Lakes Park or a night out at Dave & Busters in Manhattan, Crystal enjoys spending time with her eleven housemates. “The girls are like my sisters, and I like when the girls come to me for advice, especially about school. I want to help,” said Crystal. Although each of the young women are assigned chores, Crystal often takes on more chores to show her appreciation to the HSVS staff. “It’s my way of giving back to them,” she noted.

In June 2014, Crystal graduated from Concord High School, and now is attending Queensborough Community College. As a freshman, Crystal balances her academics with her track team practices and meets. Crystal plans to transfer to John Jay College of Criminal Justice to further her goal of becoming either a family lawyer or a social worker. “I can tell my future clients that I’ve lived in a group home and I know the struggle,” she said. “I can tell them that it’s going to be hard, but they’ll make it through.”