November 3, 2017
"The island of Puerto Rico means so much to me because it is my only connection to my heritage. My only connection to the identity I have clung so hard to, because sometimes it was all I had. I do not know any of my blood relatives, and my entire family history is on this island.
My family is buried on this island, my family records are on this island, and my family is on this island."
#HopeForPuertoRico
My name is Alicia. Well, originally it was Maria. Maria DeLeon. My birth mother, Sylvia DeLeon, was born in Puerto Rico. She moved to the states at a young age, and at 17, gave birth to me. She knew she could not care for me, and she gave me up for adoption. She chose wonderful parents, she knew what she was doing. They chose the name Alicia for me. Her and I had seven and a half days together before she handed me to my new family. At 19, my birth mother was murdered in Grand Rapids, Michigan, while at work. An ex-boyfriend killed her and another man, before killing himself. She was the only connection to my biological family that I had.
I grew up a little brown skin, Puerto Rican girl, in a mostly white world. Sometimes, I was just completely lost. My parents have guided me through a lot of difficult situations in my life, a majority of them relating to race. They always fought for, and defended me, no matter what it took. For that, I am forever grateful. My high school years were some of the most difficult of my life, but I graduated, and went on to attend Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio. I graduated twice from there, with a Master's in Sports Administration, and a Bachelor's in Business Administration. I want to utilize my skills and education to help Puerto Rico.
There are so many people that are stepping up to help the people of Puerto Rico. My hope is that this website can assist in unifying those efforts, so we can all be more effective providing relief and support to this island. By donating to organizations that are directly impacting relief efforts in Puerto Rico, we know our donations are being used to help the people on the island.
To everyone on the island- people in America care about you, we love you, and we are determined to help you!
#HopeForPuertoRico
I grew up a little brown skin, Puerto Rican girl, in a mostly white world. Sometimes, I was just completely lost. My parents have guided me through a lot of difficult situations in my life, a majority of them relating to race. They always fought for, and defended me, no matter what it took. For that, I am forever grateful. My high school years were some of the most difficult of my life, but I graduated, and went on to attend Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio. I graduated twice from there, with a Master's in Sports Administration, and a Bachelor's in Business Administration. I want to utilize my skills and education to help Puerto Rico.
There are so many people that are stepping up to help the people of Puerto Rico. My hope is that this website can assist in unifying those efforts, so we can all be more effective providing relief and support to this island. By donating to organizations that are directly impacting relief efforts in Puerto Rico, we know our donations are being used to help the people on the island.
To everyone on the island- people in America care about you, we love you, and we are determined to help you!
#HopeForPuertoRico
This is my birth mother, Sylvia DeLeon. She was born in Puerto Rico, and is buried in Grand Rapids, Michigan. If you recognize her, please email me at [email protected]. Thank you!
