Zyva: Finding Community and Confidence at The Door's Bronx Youth Center

For Zyva, success is never a finish line. It is something she continues to work toward every day. “Success is a reward of discipline, not luck,” she says. That mindset has guided her through long nights, early mornings, college classes, internships, and the many challenges she has faced along the way. 

Today, Zyva is a second-year student at Bronx Community College studying Computer Information Systems with a minor in Business. She is preparing to transfer to a four-year college, pursuing internships in her field, and working toward ambitious goals that include earning a bachelor’s degree, attending law school, and one day becoming a corporate lawyer. But her journey began with a simple decision to return to school and earn her HSE through The Door’s Bronx Youth Center (BYC). 

When Zyva first connected with The Door, she was working overnight shifts as a receptionist in a hospital while trying to find a path back to her education. Balancing work and school was not easy. After working through the night, she would head directly to classes at the BYC. There were moments when she felt exhausted and questioned whether she could keep going. “The biggest challenge was time,” she recalls. “I was working all night and then going straight to class in the morning. There were times when I wanted to give up, but I was determined on my goals, and I pushed through it with the help of the staff and their motivation.” 

That support became one of the defining parts of her experience at BYC. Zyva credits staff members including Charon Fell, Dontel Rainey, Mr. Ata and Mr. Rohn for encouraging her during moments of doubt and helping her stay focused on her goals. “I remember there were days I wouldn’t show up, and they would tell me, ‘You got this.’ “Just knowing that people had my back and believed in me meant a lot.” 

Beyond academics, Zyva found a community that welcomed her and encouraged her to grow. What began as a place to earn her HSE quickly became a space where she built friendships and connected with people from many different backgrounds. “When I first came, I was very reserved,” she says. “I didn’t socialize. But over time I made friends and met people from different backgrounds. Those are memories and friends that I still have today.” 

The Door also introduced her to skills that continue to serve her in college and beyond. Through her experiences at BYC, she strengthened her leadership abilities, learned how to work effectively with others, and improved her organizational skills. “One thing I learned about myself is that once I’m determined to achieve a goal, I’ll keep pushing until I get there.”  

After earning her HSE, Zyva enrolled at Bronx Community College, where she has maintained a strong GPA while balancing a full course load and multiple internships. One opportunity she is especially proud of is her participation in the NASA Entrepreneur Hatchery & Incubator, where she researched natural nutraceutical solutions, laying the groundwork to develop a commercial product, which she secured through a professor's recommendation. After completing her first internship, she was invited to continue with a second, giving her the chance to gain even more experience while pursuing her studies. For Zyva, the opportunity is another reminder of how far she has come since first walking through the doors of BYC.  

Each milestone is proof that hard work and perseverance can create new opportunities. Yet she remains focused on what comes next. Her plans include completing her associate degree, transferring to a four-year institution, earning a bachelor’s degree in Computer Information Systems, and eventually pursuing a Juris Doctor degree as she explores a future in both technology and law.   

Looking back, she has one piece of advice for her younger self: “The depth of your foundation determines the height of your success. Guard your time like your future depends on it, because it does.” It is advice she now shares with other young people who may be struggling or uncertain about their future. Having experienced the power of encouragement herself, she believes in helping others stay motivated and continue moving forward. 

When asked how she would describe The Door's Bronx Youth Center, her answer comes quickly. “It’s one of the best places you can be,” she says. “Whatever kind of help you need, they’ll either help you or connect you to someone who can make your goals and dreams come true.” 

For Zyva, The Door was more than a place to earn a GED. It was a community that helped her discover her strengths, build confidence, and take the next step toward the future she envisions for herself. And if her journey so far is any indication, she is only getting started.