Izoria Fields
Growing up in East New York, Brooklyn, Izoira Fields knows first hand that without a strong foundation and plan for success, the challenges of her community – street violence, substance abuse, gangs – can sometimes lead teens down a difficult path.
Luckily for Izoria, her mother registered her at the Genesis Boys & Girls Club when she was six, and since then, she has been clear about her goals and how she was going to reach them.
A 15-year-old sophomore at East New York Family Academy High School in Brooklyn, Izoria has been a member of the Genesis Clubhouse for eight years. During this time, the Club has helped her academically, socially, and emotionally in programs like the Torch Club – a junior leadership program – where she participates in clothing drives and bake sales that benefit the homeless, as well as Project Graduate, where she is preparing to pursue her academic career at Harvard University.
With inspiration from her large family – her mother, grandmother, two brothers, and her two foster siblings – her church, and her family at the Club, Izoria has always gone after what she wanted.
As she grew older and learned about the Club’s Job Readiness Training program, her ambition helped her talk her way into the program a year earlier than the age requirement for enrollment! She said her mother taught her that “a hushed mouth never gets fed,” so she learned early on that if you don’t speak up for yourself and what you want, no one else will. Not only did Izoria complete the class, she was one of the best participants. It is the Job Readiness Training program that Izoria credits for staying focused and developing the 10-year plan for her life’s success.
With her fighting spirit and million dollar smile, Izoria stands out among her peers with her determination to achieve and continuously challenge herself. Often trying new things “just to be different,” Izoria joined her school’s tennis team when all of her friends were participating in basketball or volley ball. While she says the hardest part of the sport is sticking with it, she remains determined.
“It’s hard to hit that little ball, but you have to stay focused!”
With her eyes firmly fixed on her goals and a 10-year plan in place, Izoria will no doubt continue to stay focused on a future full of success.