Delsie’s Words of Encouragement & Reinforcement for Our Youth – #1

Each of you carries the gift of artistry. An artistic creator who illuminates a path of strength, courage, hope, trust, faith and dedication. It is through the thoughts that allow you to transpire your beliefs into reality. A reality that will carve your journey of personal growth. So what will be your greatest creation? Your greatest creation as an artist is your character. Believe in your potential and go beyond scratching the surface of opportunity…conquer the fears that restrict you from achieving your goals. Be empowered by your uniqueness of you…after all, you’re one of a kind. And most importantly, remember that barriers only exist when you create it.      

Erica D. Livingston

Erica Livingston is a proud board member of the C.O.L.O.R.S. Foundation. Erica has participated in Non-For-Profit Organizations all her life and strives to provide arts education to children from all walks of life. 

Erica began her life in North Carolina, where she attended college and began providing a venue for music education and performing on the coast in Wilmington, NC, from there she attended Boston Conservatory of Music (now Berklee College of Music) and received her Masters in Music Theater. 

Upon moving to NY, she performed in a variety of theaters around the continental US as well as national tours. She also became a member of New Perspectives theater, a Non-For-Profit dedicated to providing voices and performing opportunities to those less represented. Through New Perspectives she exposed and educated students throughout Brooklyn and Queens to Shakespearean literature. She also performed bilingual and indigenous peoples plays for children in the Midtown West communities of Manhattan. 

Erica has continued her path working in Not-For-Profit Organizations through the SGI Buddhist community, various yoga studios and at the House of the Redeemer in NYC. She currently has moved to NJ in her new role as mother and early childhood educator at Rainbow Preschool. 

Kevin M. Connors

Kevin M. Connors is currently a Verizon FiOS Design Engineer/Manager for NYC who proudly joined the C.O.L.O.R.S. Foundation in support of its impactful mission. Prior to Verizon, Kevin had spent over 8 years as a Civil Engineer in design and construction.  His career changed when he joined Verizon Communications in 1996 as a Project Manager and in 2005 through 2011, Kevin was recognized as a top Sales Engineer in enabling customers with FiOS. Kevin’s passion and dedication by valuing the customer concerns continued for the next six years earning him as the top ranking of sales as a Design Engineer.  Kevin believed in the simple saying, “just listen to what the customer has to say” and everything will fall into place. 

 Kevin’s life took a unique change when he met Delsie Howey, who showed him how to demonstrate the act of love for one another. Patience and understanding were the tools that Kevin had, but it was the word, LOVE that was missing from his formula of working with people.  Today, Kevin has taken his sales/marketing experiences, as well as his skills in working in a diverse city of individuals and looks to polish his passion of helping people through the C.O.L.O.R.S. Foundation. He has a new moto these days “lead with your heart and the world will see the goodness in you.” 

Kevin M. Connors holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil/Environmental Engineering from Clarkson University. He also has certificates for Principles of PYD, Youth Work Ethics, Youth Voice & Engagement, Youth Development Programming, Youth & Technology, Puberty & Adolescence & Identifying & Reporting Child Abuse & Maltreatment. 

Luz E. Morales

Luz Morales is a retired Clinical Laboratory Scientist/Medical Technologist Level 2, from The New York Presbyterian Hospital. She served thirty-three years performing clinical tests and troubleshoots on instruments and performed quality control. Putting patients first, Luz delivered high quality patient care by promptly getting results to the doctors in a timely and efficient manner.  

In her spare time, Luz volunteered her services in tutoring mathematics and science to students in need. She also volunteered her time in giving back to the community by collaborating with other non-for-profit organizations. She joined the C.O.L.O.R.S. Foundation in hopes of being a part of the community’s impact of positive change. Luz believes that every individual can examine their potential by investing in themselves in order to improve their quality of life. She supports the C.O.L.O.R.S. program because it encompasses the value of self-love.    

Luz Morales graduated from John Jay College and holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice and Corrections with a minor in Forensic Science. She graduated with honors and Cum Laude in her class. She also holds an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Medical Technology from The New York Technical College, receiving highest honor Women’s Faculty Award and on the Dean’s Honor List. Luz also has certificates for Principles of PYD, Youth Work Ethics, Youth Voice & Engagement, Youth Development Programming, Youth & Technology, Puberty & Adolescence & Identifying & Reporting Child Abuse & Maltreatment & was awarded the Lincoln Medical & Mental Health Center for outstanding dedication & humanitarian services to patients. 

Jesse A. Saperstein

Jesse A. Saperstein is a best-selling author, autism advocate and motivational speaker. He is considered one of the most respected leaders in the Anti-Bullying movement of his generation. Jesse also has a form of autism called Asperger’s syndrome (AS) that gives individuals some profound talents and challenges. 

 After graduating from Hobart and William Smith Colleges in 2004 with a BA degree in English, Jesse set out to conquer the 2,174-mile Appalachian Trail to benefit the Joey DiPaolo AIDS Foundation. He began hiking from Georgia to Maine on March 9, 2005 and successfully completed the journey on October 18, 2005, raising more than $19,000 for children to attend summer camp who had contracted HIV/AIDS through prenatal transmission. Shortly after his hike ended, Jesse was exposed to some of the harsh realities of living as an adult on the autism spectrum and was treated with fear by members of the community who did not understand.  His decision to write a book was an opportunity to escape these realities and advocate for his peers who are not always granted a voice.  Jesse’s story, “Atypical: Life with Asperger’s in 20 1/3 Chapters,” was published by Penguin Group (USA) in April 2010 and immediately became a popular memoir due to its practical advice and humor. 

 After receiving a grant from the Anderson Center for Autism (ACA) in Staatsburg, New York, Jesse completed his first skydiving jump in front of his community in an effort to eradicate bullying.  “Free-Falling to End Bullying in 2012” is now a popular video on YouTube: www.youtube.com/jessesaperstein 

 Jesse visits schools on a regular basis and has been successful with wiping out bullying or at least dramatically alleviating it with every presentation.  He was part of the “Keeping it Real” project with New York University (NYU) that helped introduce a new anti-bullying curriculum to New York City public schools.  The web page is: www.projectkeepitreal.com  He has spoken in front of the United Nations and the Mall of America in Minneapolis, MN among other venues. 

 His second book, “Getting a Life with Asperger’s: Lessons Learned on the Bumpy Road to Adulthood” was released on Tuesday, August 5, 2014 and focuses on surviving the difficult transition into adulthood if someone has an autism spectrum disorder.  Jesse moved to Albany in June 2015 to live in his first apartment as an independent adult.  He serves as the Media and Activities Liaison for the College Experience that is run by Living Resources, Inc.  The College Experience is a program that gives individuals with disabilities the ability to attend a mainstream college with a modified curriculum and provides life skills as well as employment training.  The web page is:  www.thecollegeexperience.org, and feel free to check out his blog entries. 

On the date of Tuesday, April 2, 2019 Jesse had the honor of being included as one of the thirty-plus American heroes profiled within the anthology, “American Spirit” produced by New York Times Bestselling authors, Taya Kyle and Jim DeFelice.  On Wednesday, January 22, 2020 Jesse appeared on the Dr. Phil Show after successfully pitching the producers to advocate for his friend, David Elmore Smith who was in dire need of resources to combat his morbid obesity.  He has recently worked with the CEO of the American Red Cross to replenish the blood supply in hospitals especially if it is the antibody-enriched plasma harvested from survivors of COVID-19.  On Thursday, August 27, 2020 Jesse was one of twenty-five citizens in Albany presented with the Community Champions Award for his litter collection to benefit the bus company of the Capital District Transportation Authority (CDTA) and raise awareness for Convalescent Plasma.  Jesse’s latest endeavor to benefit society is encouraging the public to become vaccinated by sharing his footage from the second dose that was filmed on Wednesday, March 17, 2021. 

Delsie Howey

Born and raised in Brooklyn, NY, Delsie Howey is an extraordinary individual who discovered her passion for helping others at an early age. She strongly believes, regardless of your gender, race, culture, status, sexual orientation or religious belief, everyone is worthy of love. It is that same passion & belief that creates opportunity of support and compassion to those in need. Delsie’s greatest strengths are her creativity, drive and leadership. She believes through the power of unconditional love, understanding and respect for one’s belief, we can remove the barriers of all divisions by bridging our similarities, rather than discriminating against our differences. It was that same belief that motivated her to create the C.O.L.O.R.S. Foundation, in hopes of serving as a platform in breaking barriers within race, culture, religion, social status, individuality, creed & sexual orientation, through the vessel of LOVE.

Delsie Howey had to get creative with her time as working as an Accounting Consultant at Kiwi Partners, Inc. & balancing her additional role as the Founder & CEO of the C.O.L.O.R.S. Foundation. Delsie established the C.O.L.O.R.S. Foundation in 2011 to bring awareness to all communities by shattering religious separation and bridging unity among multiple religious & racial divisions through active collaboration on community and charitable projects. She serves as a mentor/life coach to the youth & adults in fulfillment of enhancing their potential in living a purposeful & abundant life. Through networking & collaborating with different community leaders, Delsie & her team were able to partner with the Poughkeepsie Central School District from 2014 – 2020. She helped the Poughkeepsie Middle & High School students discover their own truth by examining a profound analysis of their individual structure. Delsie emphasizes the importance of self-development/character building with projects that embrace artistic expression & teaches the importance of giving back to the community. She also has participated in multiple not-for-profit engagements in the New York City Metropolitan area.

Delsie Howey was recognized for leadership, diversity & achievement on March 23, 2013 for 40 Under 40 Rising Stars Award. Delsie was also considered for the Hispanic Heritage Committee’s Community Service Award, but she requested that the C.O.L.O.R.S. Foundation be recognized instead, so that it included all staff & students for the achievement as a whole. She believes the award is within the lives that are transformed and not the individual’s name of recognition on a plaque. So therefore, the C.O.L.O.R.S. Foundation was awarded and honored for their dedication, commitment, and contributions to their community on October 12, 2019. Delsie holds a Bachelor of Business Administration Degree in Accounting/Finance and a Master Degree of Business Administration in Business Management from American InterContinental University (AIU). Delsie also has certificates for Principles of PYD, Youth Work Ethics, Youth Voice & Engagement, Youth Development Programming, Youth & Technology, Puberty & Adolescence & Identifying & Reporting Child Abuse & Maltreatment.