Art Piece: ‘Temporary” by SINBoundaries ARTWORK.
Thinking back, last month was a real roller coaster ride that could have left me filled with self-doubt. I almost even gave up on my art, the essence of my spirit! Yet, because of my profession as a Youth Peer Specialist; over the years I have learned to embrace all my emotions and thrive thereafter. With every individual I met with and through every coping or social skill I practiced and role modeled, in many ways I learned too.
I looked forward to the conference. ACEs was at the center of many workshops during the TINRC 2nd annual conference. I have a sweet spot for ACEs as I credit it to be one of the reasons I am much more compassionate and understanding to both my mother and father, no matter how imperfect they were or are, while I grew up.
Learning about ACE’s early on in my career and the concept of intergenerational trauma, helped me put terms to two things I knew existed yet had no proper definition.
As a Puerto Rican girl raised in Rochester NY, I lived these concepts first-hand. My mother, single parent of 3 went to prison when I was 7. My father has been losing the battle to drugs for most of my life. As my parents did, I too got a high ACE score, yet I always felt myself resilient.
As I discussed with my peers at the conference, and to their bewilderment; my role models and motivation to escape that world, were in fact those same people that were not role models. I deliberately unknowingly knew that I did not want to be like them or live my whole life in that suffocating cycle. As an artist, you could say, I was born free spirited. And my soul could never be confined to helplessness and hopelessness for too long. And I knew, then, I did not want my children to live it that cycle neither.
My eldest daughter Pheanix accompanied me to the conference. Something I have become custom doing with a specific intention. Having her in midst of colleagues, conversations, and intent that she may not yet understand but I know she will one day.
In this journey to breaking international trauma, I’m normalizing mental wellness in my home and community. Role-modeling advocacy, work ethic, curiosity, and compassion because I know change starts with just one person.
It is a fact that our children are always watching and listening. And they repeat what they hear and see. It is our responsibility as better-informed adults to unlearn certain behaviors and embrace better. As a peer professional I’m constantly adjusting, learning, and growing. And my imperfections are why others relate.
I’m on a mission: to help break intergenerational trauma in my community and do everything in my power to keep my family ACE’s scores to a minimum. That takes heart and action. I’ve learned that mental health days do not define who I am, yet what I do next does.
Through my lived experience, expertise, advocacy, and art I hope to inform, acknowledge, validate, and embrace many of you. By sharing a different perspective, recruiting my people, and creating change in a trauma informed manner. I hope to resonate with families and professionals alike. Because I believe that just like knowledge, hope is better off shared.
Breaking the Cycle: How I Overcame Intergenerational Trauma and Became a Peer Advocate – Mad In America
To Young People of Color with Lived Experience: Pay it Forward; Become a Peer – Mad In America
About the Author
Angela M. Colón-Rentas is a New York State-certified Peer Specialist, professional Youth Peer alumni/Adult Peer Specialist and Skillbuilder. Born in Puerto Rico and raised in Rochester, N.Y. She’s also a dedicated mother, nature lover, and fine arts artist with the authentic peculiar gift known as MIRROR-WRITING.