Since coming to the US from the Dominican Republic at age 17, Teresa Carrasco-Velez has worked to improve the lives of youth in Lawrence, Massachusetts. She has dedicated 20 years of service and assistance to underserved populations, and is passionately searching for solutions to lessen the inequality affecting the poor. Carrasco-Velez has spent most of her professional life as unit director of the Boys & Girls Club of Lawrence fighting poverty, violence, teen pregnancy, and drug abuse. She has created and implemented nationally recognized programs focused on bringing vital information, resources, and hope to her community. She has been chosen as Exceptional Woman (Boston Magic 106.7) for her service to the community, received the honor of Grand Marshall for the Hispanic Festival 2006, and was selected as one of the most influential people in the state of Massachusetts (Poderometro 2008). Carrasco-Velez graduated cum laude from Merrimack College with a B.A. with concentration in sociology and political science.