A Call to Protect: Turning Responsibility into Advocacy
Matthew S.
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Writing about my grandmother’s experience being scammed has always been really difficult. She has been a solid rock throughout my life and hearing about her anguish and self-harming thoughts were earth-shattering. I was inspired to take action because of my sense of responsibility to family and am grateful to have the opportunity to support my grandmother. However, my family now helps to support my grandmother, which has strained our already limited resources. This loss has forced us to reevaluate what our family can afford which includes my college plans. To ease this burden, I’ve taken on two part-time jobs to contribute what little I can to my family’s finances. My experiences have shaped my commitment to improving the lives of others. From advocating for elder fraud protections after my grandmother’s loss and other underrepresented or vulnerable communities, I’ve learned to take responsibility and act.
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To me, creativity is the ability to find opportunities where many see limitations. It’s the ability to challenge the status quo, innovate, and create a positive tangible impact through expression. And most importantly, creativity is an incredibly powerful tool in creating a voice for marginalised communities.