Jhoanny Perez, 27, landed in a career that helped reverse the tides of natural disaster. The St. John’s University graduate currently works at the American Red Cross as a service member in a National AmeriCorps program. Her job involves educating youth and adults about fire safety and hurricane preparedness by presenting in schools and installing smoke alarms with other volunteers in resident’s homes.
Her job and volunteer work has taken her all over the world, including to Haiti and South Africa. These were particularly rough visits for her as she spent the majority of these trips suffering the effects of severe endometriosis. Nevertheless, Jhoanny persevered and continues to do the work she loves the most; public service.