Felicia Cruz Wants to Pay it Forward

At 30, deciding to go back to school was not easy. “I was nervous,” Felicia Cruz, one of this year’s 71 recipients of the NYCHA-CUNY Resident Scholarships, said. “I knew that going to school would be the best decision for myself and my family, but that it would not be an easy task.” 

As her husband, Anthony, and 3-year-old daughter, Gabrielle, looked on with pride (her 7-year-old son, Michael, was at school), Ms. Cruz received the NYCHA-CUNY scholarship at the 17th annual NYCHA-CUNY Resident Scholarship Program awards ceremony at NYCHA’s Manhattan central office in mid-October.  

Now in her senior year as a full-time student majoring in human services at Borough of Manhattan Community College, Ms. Cruz was selected to receive the $1,000 NYCHA scholarship on the strength of her biographical essay, high GPA, leadership, and contributions to the community.  

Ms. Cruz is contributing to her community through her choice of internships: She’s interned twice at Advance & Earn, which provides 16- to 24-year-olds comprehensive high school equivalency test preparation, employer-recognized training, credentials, certifications, and paid internships. “Working with youth reminds me of myself when I was their age,” Ms. Cruz said. “When I see them having a meltdown, I remind them of their dedication to their education and training.” 

In her third internship, Ms. Cruz is now working with adults with developmental delays, “so it is more intense,” she said. “Some clients have outbursts. I try my best in helping them go to the bathroom and making their day fun with creative activities and taking them out in the community, but it is way harder than my last internship.” 

Ms. Cruz received the Regina Figueroa Memorial Scholarship, which honors a CUNY student and NYCHA resident who didn’t let difficult challenges stand in the way of her education. 

The scholarship can be used for education-related expenses, including tuition, books, and fees. Mrs. Cruz will graduate with an associate degree next year. “I do want to pursue my education and go for a bachelor’s degree,” she said. 

“I was surprised I was chosen for the scholarship,” she said. “I am honored, and proud. Although it is difficult at times, I truly love college. NYCHA has offered a lot of great resources in making my journey smoother. College was a late start, but this was a new beginning for my family and me. Being a NYCHA-CUNY Scholar has made it more possible to obtain my dreams. I am almost at the finish line, and I cannot believe it!”  

Ms. Cruz is also proud to live in NYCHA housing. “There is a lot of stigma attached to NYCHA,” the resident of Staten Island’s Berry Houses said, “but this is my home. My children have a great community around them. There is a lot of love and positivity.” 

Ms. Cruz plans to become a social worker. “My dream is to help people realize their own worth and achieve their goals,” she said. “I want to be a person who can help someone feel the way NYCHA has made me feel; be able to lift the burden a bit. To let them know that it will get better. That just because things are difficult does not mean that they are impossible – and with a little help and some kindness, anything is possible.” 

CUNY senior and Regina Figueroa Memorial Scholar Felicia Cruz holds daughter Gabrielle, 3, at a NYCHA ceremony awarding scholarships to residents who are high-performing CUNY students.