It starts with all of us.

Alexandria White-Lighty-  Via Spirit In Totum Church Managing Director, Perfect Vision Life Skills Program Facilitator is a real estate investor, legal strategist, business owner, and advocate. With over 20 years experience working with children and adolescents through the Office Of Children and Family Services and the New York City Department Of Education, she has seen the detrimental effects of parental neglect, financial dependence, and lack of vision among our adolescents and young adults.

Motivated by her mother, the late Marghueritte Brown, a New York City Department Of Education Special Education Teacher for 30 years, who herself grew up in foster care from the time she was orphaned at the age of three.  Marghueritte was determined to continue her education while raising Alexandria.  It was Marghueritte who instilled in Alexandria the importance of education, expansion, and service.  Alexandria can scarcely remember a time during her childhood when her mother wasn’t providing someone food, shelter, or clothing...and of course, books.  It was also Marghueritte’s mission as an elementary school special education teacher to help as many students as possible to get into general education classes with needed support, before moving on to high school.  Many of her students were living in difficult circumstances often without their basic physical needs being met.  They were often distracted or disruptive in class and subsequently labeled “Special” or “Learning Disabled” when they just needed social assistance.

Alexandria has worked with children and adolescents for many years.  A former licensed child care services provider for the New York State Office of Children and Family Services, volunteer for the New York City Department of Education, and past member of the United Federation of Teachers Union, Alexandria understands how The Perfect Vision Life Skills Program will meet the needs of so many young people, potentially changing the trajectory of their lives and ultimately creating a greater chance of success for their offspring.

“Charity sees the need, not the cause.”              Unknown

Via Spirit Board of Governors member, Nigel E. Wyatte is a Mentor, Trainer, Activities Coordinator, and Basketball Coach. He has extensive experience in the mentoring, counseling, and teaching of students of all ages, at-risk youth, and youth on probation. Developing procedures and structuring programs through the New York City Department Of Education, New York Center for Interpersonal Development, United Activities Unlimited, and various other private organizations, Nigel has become very effective at identifying the needs of his student population and coming up with innovative initiatives to address them. Nigel, a former professional basketball player who grew up facing many of the same challenges many of our students have encountered, offers a unique perspective that will most assuredly enhance the Perfect Vision Life Skills Program efforts.

“As we touch their hearts, we can teach their minds.” Helen Keller

Via Spirit Board Of Governors member, Amaris Lighty holds a Masters Degree in Urban Planning. Having worked on multiple city planning projects as a student, Amaris understands the need to create access to marginalized communities. Amaris presently works for Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) in New York City.  She is responsible for helping families dependent upon subsidized housing to become better educated, better employed, and moving toward homeownership through the use of government programs and grants.

She has seen the effects of growing up in “Fringe” communities that have limited access and support.  Amaris understands what is needed to create an environment which is conducive to creativity, progress, and harmony for generations to come. Her input will be extremely valuable to the Perfect Vision Program.

“You don't have to see the whole staircase, just take the next step.”  Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Via Spirit Board Of Governors member, Darrak Lighty, Jr. is a Nurse and Certified Lead Pharmacy Technician. Darrak has first-hand knowledge of the importance of a healthy and balanced lifestyle. Sadly, he has lost most of his family to preventable health conditions such as: diabetes and heart disease. For the last four year, Darrak has lost over one third of his body weight, not only transforming his body but his life. He has studied and learned practical nutrition and fitness, often using himself to test new strategies. Darrak is now a healthy and fit young man who has made the shift to a healthier lifestyle and is now committed to teaching it to the next generation.

“When you know better, you do better.” Maya Angelou

Via Spirit Board Of Governors member, Ruth Diaz is an Insurance Specialist, Real Estate Professional, and Document Preparer. Although now a thriving wife and mother, Ruth is no stranger to unfortunate circumstances. Like many of our students, she has experienced housing and food insecurity and the tragic and sudden loss of a parent during her formative years. Ruth can relate to the feelings and fears that many of our students are experiencing so she can serve as an example of the healing and restoration possible for all of us.  

“Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love.”

1 Corinthians 13:13                                                                                                                                                                                                 

Via Spirit Board Of Governors member, Asher Lighty 

is an Information Technologies Specialist and Computer Science. For his Sophomore, Junior, and Senior years at the Ralph R. McKee Career and Technical  High School, Staten Island, New York, Asher worked in their information technologies support division. The youngest McKee student to hold a paid position on the McKee Info-Tech Squad, Asher was responsible for maintaining some of the most sensitive and expensive components of the school's technological infrastructure. His sophomore year Computer instructor often joked that Asher could teach the class because he was “A Natural” at Computer Technology.  Asher truly understands computers and has been lauded by school administration and faculty for his patient and calming energy when offering technical support and instruction. Asher will offer outstanding technical support to our students.

“Believe you can and you're halfway there.”              Theodore Roosevelt

Via Spirit In Totum Board Advisor Deborah Miller is the parent of two children, one of whom is a child with special needs. Deborah was the Director of the Staten Island Family Resource Center since 2004, where she is actively involved in ensuring that families and caregivers of children and youth with special needs receive essential services. She holds a Masters Degree in Social Science from Antioch University.  Deborah has also received numerous certifications in the Applied Behavioral Sciences and in Organizational Psychology. She completed her Post Graduate studies at the University of Pennsylvania,  has received her credentials in the Family Development and Credentialing Program offered by Cornell University,  and currently serves as the Treasurer of the Board of Directors for Families on the Move of NYC; Inc.  As a Mental Health professional for over 40 years, Deborah, is passionate about advocating for young people.  She  is a past Borough Based Council Chairperson and New York State Coalition for Children’s Mental and Behavioral Health as well as an Executive Board Member, Founding Member, Trustee, and Chairperson of The John W. Lavelle Preparatory Charter School.  At present, Deborah is Chairperson of the Board of Trustees for the Integration Charter School of Staten Island. 

Over her 40 year career in Social and Behavioral Science Professional,  Deborah has worked as a Family Therapist;  Organizational Development Specialist;  Consultant/Contractor for U.S. Department of Health Education and Welfare;  Consultant/Advocate for N.Y.C. Department of Education (Special Education Division);  Senior Advocate for the Family Resource Center a division of JBFCS;   N.Y.C. Department of Health;  N.Y.S. Office of Mental Health and Wellness.

In 2019, Deborah was honored with a New York State Proclamation for a lifetime of work and dedication to the youth and disadvantaged adults throughout New York.

In 2021, she was again honored by Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams with the New York City Leverage Leadership Award.

Deborah has been and will continue to be an invaluable member of our team.

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The Perfect Vision Comprehensive Life Skills Program is an intensive 18 to 24 month life skills training program designed for economically and intellectually disadvantaged adolescents and young adults who are unsupported in their endeavors to continue their education and become financially, socially, and physically independent.  We equip these students with the skills to live the greater lives they desire, while learning to collaborate with others to make meaningful contributions to both local and global communities.  

 Nurturing the potential of adolescents and young adults currently in precarious living situations, equipping them with the skills necessary to experience more satisfying and purposeful lives while making significant contributions to the global community.
Our members and volunteers provide the expertise and passion that helps us affect change. Using both traditional and revolutionary models, we provide solutions that make a life-changing difference.

 Housing, Food, and Job Insecurity are a tremendous problem in the United States and although it isn't limited to any particular age or gender group, the greatest increase in this phenomenon has been attributed to adolescents and young adults who have no support and limited resources. Many of these young people have “Aged Out” of the foster care system and have been left to fend for themselves.   The Foster Care System in the U.S. replaces the institution of orphanages for childless parents. This system operates in every state in the nation through government and private funds. These funds are allocated for the housing and caring of children under the age of 18 in private family homes or government and charity-based group homes.  Children are placed based upon need and availability.  These children end up in the foster care system for a  myriad of reasons. Parents in prison;  parents addicted to drugs; abusive parents;  neglectful parents;  parents whohave abandoned their children. The unfortunate reality however, is that these children are often placed with foster families who are motivated by the money being paid for the child and provide little nurturing or support and even inflict abuse on these vulnerable children.It's a well-known fact in this country that despite laws and regulations being put in place to safeguard children, a significant percentage of foster children endure sexual, mental, and physical abuse for years while being shuffled from home to home in this failing system. As if this isn't enough of a tragedy, once these children turn 18, they are no longer eligible for foster care placement. Once the checks for their sponsors stop, they are often turned out into the streets.Each year, approximately 20,000 youth “Age Out” of the foster care system when they turn 18 or 21 (depending on the state in which they live). These children are at increased risk of poor educational outcomes, experiencing homelessness, exploitation, and chronic unemployment.For most foster kids, the day they turn 18, they're suddenly on their own, responsible to find a place to live, manage their money, their shopping, their clothing, their food often while trying to continue their education, all with no support, guidance, or plan.

• 1 in 8  American children is abused or neglected by age 18  
• 1 in 17 kids enters foster care  
• Upwards of 70% of  youth involved in the juvenile justice system for committing crimes have been involved in the child welfare/foster care system  
• 50% of foster youth will not graduate from high school on time  
• 48% of girls in foster care become pregnant by age 1  
• 60% of child trafficking victims have histories in foster care
• 33% of homeless young adults were previously in foster care
• Kids in foster care are 4x more likely than other children to attempt suicide  
• Less than 3% of children in foster care earn a college degree