Don’t wait for the light at the end of the tunnel, become it!

Dear Kulturpass Community,

My name is Corinne, and I am one of the newest team members of this impactful non-profit organization. I’m a proud mommy of a little sunshine who is 3 years old, and a moving poet at heart.

I was asked to write my first mini article, to give a little insight into who I am and what moves me. But instead, let me share a glimpse of one of the greatest tragedies I’ve had to face, and how it ultimately gave birth to the most empowered version of myself.

I’m sure many of you have heard the inspirational quote:
“You never know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have,” by the legendary Bob Marley. Let me tell you, it doesn’t just sound nice to me; it resonates so deeply, it feels imprinted in my DNA.

Last year, my life hit rock bottom.
I had to quit a job that no longer aligned with my values.
I went through a heartbreak that at that felt like the whole world was crumbling under my feet; one that also made me a single mother.
I struggled to find a new job and lived paycheck to paycheck for months.
My mental health was suffering and as if that wasn’t enough, I was diagnosed with an unexplainable brain lesion.

As heavy as all of this may sound and felt, I didn’t let it break me.
I chose to fight, because I wanted to live, but more importantly, because there was someone worth living for: my beloved daughter, Aylee Rose.
She was truly my saving grace.
But so was Culture.

And I deeply believe that the benefits of culture for our mental health deserve to be highlighted more than ever.

Those experiences? They were the fall I never knew I needed.
The fall that made me stand taller.
The fall that made me grow stronger.
The fall that made me wiser.

They pushed me to ask myself:

“Are you really who you think you are?
And above all, who are you in the face of adversity?
Who are you when nobody is watching?
Who are you when the only voice leading you is your own?”

So, after reading these few lines, here’s what I hope you’ll take with you:

Don’t be ashamed of who you are or what you’re going through. Eventually, everyone faces something whether they choose to express it or not.

When you feel alone, you never truly are. Sometimes, your tribe and your support system show up at your lowest moment.

There is always light at the end of the tunnel and while walking through it, you may just realize: you are the light.

You never know who you’re inspiring by sharing your story. You never know who needs to hear it to find their strength.

Long story short:
I want all our beneficiaries to unapologetically become mirrors of redemption and resilience.
I want them to realize that behind every Kulturpass there’s a story that matters, a story worth sharing and we want to hear it. We need to hear it.

Not just so we can offer better, more aligned services, but because we want our beneficiaries to feel truly empowered.

So, if you ask me why I chose to join this team: it’s because I need to wake up every day knowing that I’m doing something meaningful. Something that matters. Something that, even in a small way, helps make the world a better place.

Yours Corinne