Full Circle and Forward: Lexie Castillo’s Journey from Student to Mentor with NJCDC

Watch our short video on Lexie's NJCDC journey

When Lexie Castillo walks into a Paterson classroom today, she’s not just there to teach; she’s there to give back. A proud product of a number of NJCDC schools and youth development programs, Lexie is now a Mental Health Youth Mentor through our AmeriCorps Paterson Public Health Corps (PPHC) program, working every day to support young people in the very schools she once attended.

It’s a full-circle moment that carries deep personal meaning for Lexie. “NJCDC has been a constant in my life since I was a preschooler,” she shared. “Now I get to be that support system for others, and it feels like everything has come together exactly the way it was meant to.”

A Lifelong NJCDC Connection

Lexie’s journey with NJCDC began as a little learner at the Paterson Family Center, our free preschool for Paterson families. From there, she was part of the first class at the Community Charter School of Paterson and continued to stay involved throughout her school years, attending after-school programs, joining the College Scholars program, and participating in our Summer Youth Employment Program. As a teenager, she volunteered at NJCDC events, always finding her way back to the organization that had given her so much.

“There were so many people here who believed in me,” Lexie said. “Teachers and mentors who pushed me to dream bigger — not just go to school and get a job, but to imagine a future where I could really make a difference.” She credits mentors like Ms. Sudani, Ms. Sizzo, and Ms. La Madrid for their unwavering encouragement and for showing her the value of education, compassion, and community.

That foundation of support helped Lexie grow into a confident, outgoing leader — one who went on to earn her B.S. in Public Health from Rutgers University and is now preparing to take the LSAT, with hopes of pursuing a career in immigration law or public policy focused on global health and equity. Reflecting on her goals, Lexie said she envisions “something where I can be a voice for people who might not have one. I want to fight for those who need it most.”

Supporting Students as a PPHC Member

Now, Lexie is channeling her lived experience into her service with our Paterson Public Health Corps. Launched in 2023, the program places 10 full-time AmeriCorps members in five Paterson public schools, where they create school-based mental health resource centers, lead educational seminars, and serve as mentors to students navigating emotional and social challenges.

Lexie’s work as a Mental Health Youth Mentor focuses on helping students build emotional literacy and resilience. Through individual and group sessions, she shares healthy coping strategies and makes space for students to express themselves freely. “One student told me he wants to be an oceanographer,” Lexie said with a smile. “It reminded me of how important it is to nurture those dreams, because someone once did that for me.”

The PPHC program itself is a vital response to the mental health needs exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Its goals are simple but ambitious: normalize mental health conversations and reduce stigma — especially among students in minoritized communities — and make care more accessible by embedding services directly in schools.

Monthly workshops led by PPHC members have covered topics such as anxiety management, substance abuse prevention, and digital safety. These sessions are designed to be interactive, incorporating journaling, mindfulness, creative expression, and physical movement to encourage participation and self-reflection. “We’re not just talking at students; we’re creating spaces where they can be heard,” Lexie explained.

As Program Director Maryam Ali puts it, “This program is about building a culture where mental health is valued, understood, and prioritized — and our members are at the forefront of that change.”

Looking Ahead and Giving Back

For Lexie, the work is deeply personal. “Growing up in Paterson, I saw the health disparities in our community and how hard it was for people to get help,” she said. “Being part of the Public Health Corps means I get to help close those gaps and show kids that support is out there.”

That perspective is exactly what makes Lexie’s story so powerful: beyond just mentoring students, she’s walking alongside them, having once been in their shoes. “NJCDC helped me become outgoing and open to talking to new people,” she reflected. “And most of all, it gave me a sense of community. I always felt like people here cared about me and wanted me to succeed.”

Her message to Paterson youth is one of resilience and hope: You are more than your circumstances, and you are not alone.

Lexie’s journey is a shining example of NJCDC’s mission in action: empowering Paterson’s youth to build brighter futures, and then return to uplift the next generation. As NJCDC’s Founder and CEO Bob Guarasci reflected, “Lexie embodies everything we strive for at NJCDC. We supported her growth as a child, and now, as a young professional, she’s come back to be a beacon of hope for others. Her story reminds us that when we invest in our youth, we’re investing in the future of our entire community.”

From preschool student to public interest leader in the making, Lexie Castillo is proof that when opportunity meets heart, full-circle moments can spark lasting change.

Extended Q&A with Lexie Castillo

Want to hear more from Lexie in her own words? Below is the full transcript of our interview (lightly edited for length and clarity), where she reflects on her journey, shares what drives her passion for public service, and offers advice for the next generation of Paterson youth.

Q: Can you start by introducing yourself and sharing your connection to NJCDC

A: My name is Lexie Castillo, and I’m currently an AmeriCorps member with NJCDC. But my connection to NJCDC goes way back; I actually started out here as a student in preschool! I went through a lot of their programs growing up, and now I’m back working with the community that helped shape me.

Q: What NJCDC programs were you involved in as a student?

A: I started at the Paterson Family Center for preschool, and then I joined the afterschool programs in middle school and high school. I also did the College Scholars program and the Summer Youth Employment Program. NJCDC was always there, whether it was school help, college prep, or giving us something to do in the summer.

Q: Are there any teachers or mentors who really stood out to you?

A: So many! Miss Sudani is one of the first people who helped me understand that college was possible for someone like me. She really pushed us and made us think beyond just “go to school and get a job;” she showed us that we could dream big. Miss Sizzo and Miss La Madrid also meant a lot to me. Even during the summer, they stayed in touch with us. They’d take us out to lunch, check in, and really made us feel cared for. That kind of attention and love made a huge difference in my life.

Q: What impact did NJCDC have on you personally?

A: It gave me confidence. I used to be really shy, but NJCDC helped me become outgoing and open to talking to new people. I learned how to carry myself, how to connect with others. And most of all, it gave me a sense of community. I always felt like people here cared about me and wanted me to succeed.

Q: What drew you to AmeriCorps and public health work?

A: Growing up in Paterson, I saw firsthand the health disparities we deal with, and how overlooked our community can be. I wanted to give back and be someone who could help others access the resources and support they need. Being part of the Public Health Corps means a lot to me because I get to work with young people and give them the kind of encouragement I got when I was their age.

Q: What’s it like being on the other side now — giving support instead of receiving it?

A: It’s honestly beautiful. I love seeing the kids open up and express themselves. I had a student tell me he wants to be an oceanographer, and it made me smile because I remember being that age and dreaming big. I just try to do for them what others did for me: to show them that anything’s possible, and they’re not alone.

Q: What message would you share with young people in Paterson today

A: Don’t let your environment define you. You are more than your circumstances. There are so many resources and people who care; NJCDC is proof of that. Keep showing up for yourself and don’t be afraid to ask for help.

Q: What are your future goals?

A: I’m preparing to take the LSAT now, and I hope to go to law school. I’m interested in immigration law or public policy — something where I can be a voice for people who might not have one. I want to fight for those who need it most.