Acerca de Amy Espinal

I am Amy Espinal, a Dominican woman who came to New York with big dreams and a heart full of hope. I arrived in 2015, with a suitcase full of dreams and, like many, with more questions than answers. In 2016, I became a mother, but what seemed like a miracle soon became an immense challenge. Postpartum depression hit hard, and I found myself practically alone, emotionally unsupported, struggling to balance my role as a mother and my professional life.

I lost the job I had, and finding a new opportunity became a frustrating journey. I spent weeks, months, looking for something that would fit my new reality as a mother, but everything seemed to be designed for someone with rigid schedules, with no room for much-needed flexibility. I felt trapped in a system that didn't understand my needs as an immigrant mother, alone, and without a role that would allow me to access more opportunities. The economic reality was harsh, but something inside me was driving me to continue.

So, I discovered a job in a daycare. It was my chance! A place where I could watch my son grow up while working. But life showed me that what seems like an easy solution isn't always so simple. Working in the same place as my baby was a challenge. The burden was enormous: more than 13 hours a day, dealing with children with diverse needs and personalities and families with complex situations. The reality of being a single, immigrant, and working mom without a support network was hurting every fiber of my being. Physical and emotional exhaustion was eating away at me. But, instead of giving up, something in me ignited. In that moment of crisis, I understood that the key to transforming my life was in my own willpower. I couldn't expect the system to change, but I could change it from within.

So, I decided that I was going to heal so that I could educate. I learned that in order to be the best version of a mother, educator, and woman, I needed to take care of myself first. With that approach, I began my path to balance. I embarked on the process of physical, mental, and professional change, so getting my CDA credential, a tool that would help me grow as a professional and provide other mothers and families with the same kind of support and understanding that I had longed for in my darkest moments.