Once upon a time, Lourdes Cartagena was a walking statistic. She was living in the “mean” streets of Brooklyn. by the age of 15 she was a young mother and by the time she was 18 amid the violence, homelessness, drugs and prison. The predictable outcome was selling and using drugs, being shot and prison. By the Grace of God 22 years later she obtained a degree in Criminal Justice, Addiction Counselor, Certified Life Coach.

In 1994, she was released and never looked back. From 1994 to 1998 she worked with the Department of Homeless Services and coordinated services for homeless women from various shelters throughout the five boroughs from being homeless to treatment and becoming independent and employed. She returned to school and earned an education in therapy and clinical skills. In 1998 she graduated from the Recovery Assistance Training Program (RAPT). She was the keynote speaker at the Henry Street Settlement (STEP) program and received an award by the New York State Department of Correctional Services for contributing with distinction to the betterment of services and programs made available to the incarcerated offender. She has worked extensively in both the Clinical Field and Criminal Justice for over ten years

Lourdes knows what it takes to break through walls of brick that limit performance. She has turned her survival skills into a system and teaches purpose driven, high achieving individuals ranging from young adults, men and women who want to expand their mindset and in the professional field.

She has written her autobiography entitled “Help Me” which releases later in 2016. She has been featured on “Straight Talk” and “Beyond Prison, Parole and Probation” Docuseries release date to be determined, as well as, EGL Magazine and U.P. Article, in addition, to filming and authoring a book entitled “Victim To Victory.”