Many young people face serious challenges when they arrive in a new country. Grace Dominguez had two: finding a safe place to live and becoming fluent in the English language. She came to New York alone from the Dominican Republic, and enrolled at Manhattan Comprehensive after learning from a neighbor that it was a great place for Spanish speakers new to the U.S. At the school, Grace made a connection with CYD’s Bobbie Hernandez, who met with her every day and helped with her living situation and her green card process via CYD’s Legal Information Clinic. At the same time, Grace worked hard in the school’s English Language Learner classes. In her second year, CYD helped Grace get a paid internship at CVS, where she excelled and was recently hired as a store assistant.

Grace’s goal is to become a flight attendant and travel the world. She loves the Dominican Republic, where her mother, Ari Santos, is a well-known radio host. Santos, who is attending Grace’s graduation from Manhattan Comprehensive this week, says, “Students get a lot of support here. Grace has been able to accomplish so much and I’m so proud of her.” Grace credits her success to CYD and especially Hernandez: “She helped me so much and is one of the most important people in my life. She’s the real Wonder Woman!”

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