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blog
A Return Home
By Nicole Mateo
When I was first introduced to Riley’s Way, I was encouraged to join by my 10th grade history teacher Jessica Taylor. At the time we met, to the naked eye, Jessica appeared to be any other educator. However, she was much more than that. We connected on many levels, advocating for issues we both cared about with a desire to connect with others who felt the same way. That’s why I eagerly seized the opportunity to join the Riley’s Way TYWLS of East Harlem and Nightingale Council.
In a room filled with young women I did not know, I very quickly grew uncomfortable with the situation. I sat among girls who attended a private school exactly ten blocks away from my public school, and yet, despite our completely different lives, we all came together ready to make a change in the community we shared. Riley’s Way’s ethos and genuine concern for kindness and empathy quickly dissolved any sense of discomfort I initially felt. Over time, these emotions transformed into feelings of extreme comfort—so much so that I eventually became co-chair of the Council alongside Amber Rahman from Nightingale.
Six years ago, Amber and I would have crossed paths and never noticed each other. Today, I consider Amber one of my best friends. Together, Amber and I led our peers through two years of volunteer efforts for women impacted by incarceration. We shared meals and engaged in meaningful conversations with the women of Talk2Me, a support group for NYC women impacted by incarceration.
During our time as co-chairs, Amber and I quickly discovered that despite our distinct upbringings, we were essentially two peas in a pod. What books Amber hadn’t read, I had, and whatever books I hadn’t read, Amber had. It was our shared love of literature and deep commitment to transformative justice that connected us in such a profound way.
It comes as no surprise that we became one of the first Call For Kindness fellows of Riley’s Way. In 2019, we introduced RPRSNTD., a book club and online platform we founded to highlight stories from diverse and historically underrepresented perspectives. We aimed to bring teens together to discuss and increase awareness so that they could see themselves represented in the books we read. The collaboration it required to launch our passion project, distinct from our work in the councils, only brought Amber and me closer together. We frequently discussed our aspirations, our impact, and our qualities. Building RPRSNTD. made us more empathetic and kind individuals. While these qualities were always part of us, it became increasingly clear that RPRSNTD. embodied the values we held dear.
The transition to 2020 brought high school graduations, COVID-19, and cross country college moves. Amid all this change, Amber and I had to put RPRSNTD. on the back burner. Yet, our friendship and our commitment to making ourselves and the world a better place remain steadfast.
Today, I write this as a University of Chicago graduate working my first full-time job at a victims’ rights law firm, C.A. Goldberg (CAG), as the firm’s Intake Coordinator. The work I do at CAG requires the same skills and traits that Riley’s Way first encouraged me to apply in all my endeavors. As the first point of contact for individuals who may have just experienced the worst moments of their lives, I draw on the lessons from Riley’s Way about the importance of kindness and listening to understand rather than speaking. Every day, I thank Riley’s Way for encouraging young adults like myself early on, because everything I’ve gained or learned from RW has stayed with me—from friendships to projects.
Alongside my full-time role at the firm, I also intern at Riley’s Way as the alumna and mentorship intern. I can imagine no more fulfilling role than the ones I currently have. As an RW alumna of all programs, it is no surprise that when I knew I would be returning to NYC after graduating from the University of Chicago, I wanted to return to Riley’s Way. Riley’s Way has always felt like a return home. A return to compassion, empathic listening, and above all, kind leadership.