Giving back has helped Jade Robledo move forward. The Shippensburg, PA native is a winner of our #MyDream2017 challenge. A student at Messiah College, she wants to use her funding to pursue a career in mental health and give back to others who have struggled with feelings of self-worth and doubt.

What is your professional dream?
I would like to become a counselor and teach mental health to the community. I am also working towards owning a clinic, where I can provide different types of therapies. Owning a clinic will allow me to provide the best resources for people to get the most out of their therapy and to have the tools to help themselves in the future.

How will you use the 1,000 Dreams Fund grant?
I am planning on saving the 1,000 Dreams Fund grant. This money can help me pay for books and tuition, which will help me achieve my ultimate goal of owning a clinic.

What advice do you have for other young women looking to go for their dreams?
Go for it and never give up, no matter the circumstances. Dreams can be achieved with hard work. I like to think of my free time at night as a period to dream. During the day, I turn these dreams into a reality.

Any setbacks? How did you get around them?
The biggest setbacks that I struggle with are my depression and slight anxiety. It is something I have been dealing with for years and sometimes I just want to give up. Some days I don’t feel worthy enough. I got around this by having such amazing support systems: my friends and family, my professors, supervisors at work, my peers, etc. They have helped me to see my worth and have inspired me to do so much better.

I always look for more ways to make a difference. Even if it’s just sticking a note on my friend’s door or on my roommate’s desk. I send positivity cards to people who are struggling or to random people on campus and it helps me overcome my depression.

What’s next for you? What is your next goal?
My next goal is to graduate in 2019 and to get an internship with Community Service Group (and eventually work there). I also want to attend Milton Hershey School and eventually become a counselor. In the future, I hope to get my Master’s degree as well.

Help support more girls with big dreams like Jade! Donate to the 1,000 Dreams Fund!