Josephare Lector immigrated to the United States from Haiti in February 2002, when she was 11 years old. She now lives in Flatbush, Brooklyn with her parents and two younger brothers.
Josephare faced many challenges in her life including being born with one hand. When Josephare arrived in the United States she did not speak English and realized learning the language and dealing with the bullying from other students would be a huge challenge. She refused to let these challenges stand in her way of accomplishing her academic goals. Josephare attends the Brooklyn International High School, which serves students who have recently immigrated to the United States. Josephare is an honor roll student, a member of the Honor Society, and the recipient of the Yale Book Award. In addition she participates as a member of the Haitian Club and the Science Club, takes SAT classes at Medgar Evers College, and still finds the time to assist her younger brothers with their homework
During Josephare’s junior year through the iMentor program she was matched with her mentor Jalina Hudson. Josephare and Jalina first met at the iMentor Kick-Off Event in October 2007. During this first meeting Josephare learned that Jalina works in Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice, which would support Josephare’s future career goal, to become a Forensic Scientist. Josephare was thrilled to meet Jalina, finally having someone to look up to and to speak with whenever she needed guidance. Through their email communications and in-person meetings, Jalina helped Josephare research colleges, exposing her to colleges she had never heard of before that would be a good fit with her career goals. The two have developed a very strong personal relationship. Josephare feels that Jalina is the big sister she never had and she can share anything with her mentor. Jalina provides Josephare with the support and resources to succeed personally, academically, and professionally.
In her future, Josephare wants...