Giselli Veloz is a powerhouse. She is the senior program manager of parent engagement and recruitment for LIFT New York, a NYS forensic mental health counselor (license pending) and holds a master’s degree in forensic psychology.
Raising her two sons, Gianni and Ryan, in her home borough of the Bronx, Veloz perfectly embodies the balance of an influential career with a deep commitment to family and community. These attributes earned her the inaugural “Rock Star Mom” honor at the National Mother’s Day Committee’s 48th Annual Outstanding Mother Awards. In a special collaboration, No Kid Hungry helped select Veloz for the award, with all proceeds from the ceremony supporting our mission to end childhood hunger.
Like many of the moms No Kid Hungry aims to support, Veloz’s path to success wasn’t easy. After her second son Ryan was born, Veloz balanced life as a single mother while returning to school. During this time, she experienced significant barriers to stable housing and food security.
These conditions changed after Veloz was introduced to the nonprofit LIFT at a time management workshop at school. LIFT provides one-on-one coaching to parents of children ages eight and under who have goals around career, finance and education. As parents receive coaching, they also receive cash infusions so they can accomplish their academic and career goals.
Veloz’s coach helped her keep track of what she wanted to achieve and the steps necessary to get there. Even if it was just for an hour a month, Veloz’s coach worked with her to stay accountable to her responsibilities as a mother, student and, most importantly, herself.
“For me, as a mom, oftentimes we ignore ourselves. It's almost as if we don't matter, we have a job to do, we have a role to accomplish, we have something to do, and it never stops,” she said. “And while that is the goal, you want to achieve those dreams, it's also thinking ‘I matter, I exist, what are my needs’ in order to be who I want to be for my children and in order to do my work.”
After enrolling in the program, Veloz got the resources she needed to complete her associates, bachelors and her masters degree while securely supporting her sons. Upon completion of the program, she ultimately landed a position as senior program manager at LIFT and is an adjunct lecturer at CUNY Hostos Community College.
Veloz carried the values and lessons LIFT taught her into her professional life. For example, she views her students and LIFT participants holistically, ensuring they have the resources she once wished for.
Beyond her role at LIFT, she is a fierce advocate for justice system reform, leading initiatives to support vulnerable populations in the South Bronx. Veloz is an active participant of many coalitions, including The BLOC led by The Bronx Defenders, while she continues to grow her work in philanthropy and mental health services for justice-involved individuals.
By investing in leaders like Veloz, communities across the United States can dismantle the cycles of poverty that drive childhood hunger.
“I've come full circle,” she says. “I hope to continue to empower families, encourage families, invest in families so that they can also persevere, be resilient, and achieve their success and break cycles.”
Our Rock Star Mom achieved her dreams by learning to prioritize her own well-being, and now she is helping others do the same. Her story is exactly why No Kid Hungry continues to prioritize these investments because when moms do well, their children have access to the food they need to thrive.
Learn more about how No Kid Hungry is supporting moms to ensure their kids have access to food today, tomorrow and for generations.
