2010 POINT SCHOLARS

Michael Henriquez

Bob Fennell Point Scholar

New York University Silver School of Social Work

Social Work

Michael Henriquez was born in New York City and spent much of his adolescence in foster care. After permanent placement with his birth mother at the age of 13 Michael realized he was attracted to members of the same sex. Without any outlets of expression and fear of unwarranted negative feedback he repressed his attractions and would only explored them 2 years later when he learned of an after school program ran by the Hetrick Martin Institute (HMI) serving LGBT youth. Inspired by the comfort level and safety provided within HMI, Michael and his best friend garnered support within his own to start their first Gay Straight Alliance.

Although things were going well at school and within his social circle, his private life began crumbling. Michael's mother was anything but accepting of his sexuality and life choices and within the upcoming year he ended up homeless unemployed and out of school. Michael then 19 was forced to abandon his academic journey for one of survival. In October 2008 he found a shelter serving dozens of LGBT youth that were victims to the same injustices which he faced.

In the trenches of tragedy he found hope. Michael returned to school while living in a shelter ran by the Ali Forney Center and returned to his pursuit for higher learning through The City University of New York where he maintain a GPA of no less than 3.90 and is in the process of creating a mentorship program to help LGBT students transition to college life with as little stress and hurdles as possible. He is also currently seeking ways to improve the support that homeless LGBT youth receive while in the Ali Forney Shelters to better serve the population and hopefully create the success which he has procured.