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Meet the Faces Behind the Take Action Plan
Meet Laura Valdez
My name is Laura Valdez one of the creators behind the Take Action Plan. Let me tell you a little bit about myself. I'm 28 years old born and raised in Paterson, NJ. I obtained my BA at Montclair State University in Justice Studies with a minor in Justice & Families in May 2019. Minoring in Justice & Families allowed me to take courses in Child Advocacy, which opened my eyes as to what I really wanted to pursue career wise. That's when I decided to go for my MA degree to delve into what I really wanted to expand my knowledge on, Forensic Interviewing. In May 2021 I will be graduating from Montclair State University with an MA degree in Child Advocacy & Policy with a Concentration in Public Child Welfare. My career goal is to become a Forensic Interviewer for the Passaic County Prosecutor's Office.
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I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. And I will not let what I cannot do interfere with what I can do.
- Edward Everett Hale
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Meet Shana Bencosme
My name is Shana Bencosme one of the creators behind the Take Action Plan. Let me tell you a little bit about myself. I’m 27 years old born and raised in Paterson, NJ. I received my Bachelors Degree in Criminal Justice with a minor in Social Work Advocacy from Fairleigh Dickinson University in Teaneck. I took two years off to really think about what I wanted to do as a career. I decided to expand my knowledge in the social work field and Montclair State Univeristy was an opportunity knocking on the door. As of May 2021, I will be a graduate student of the MA Child Advocacy and Policy Program. My goal is to become a licensed therapist and have my own practice.
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Never let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game.
-Babe Ruth
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