Today we’d like to introduce you to Lin Green.
Hi Lin, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I’m a LifeStyle Enthusiast living in the Sunshine State. I’m a Public Administration professional, community advocate, and writer. I’m a lover of people, God, and spiritual peace seeker. Living life one day at a time. Keeping Him first… and representing as best I can. A proud afro-Latina. The daughter to two traditional immigrant Dominican parents, and the offspring to one Puerto Rican sponsor. I’m one of seven children of an eclectic and complicated mixed family. Mother to my 20-year-old son. And wife to a solid army vet turned law enforcement officer turned business genius. As a crisis interventionist of sorts, my passion has always been to serve others. As a community advocate, I’ve been afforded the opportunity to do just that. But I’ve always had a longing for more. To be more. For myself and for others.
Ever have something you kept deep down inside? Something that no matter how much you buried, it always made its way up? An incessant desire to follow your passion? That’s what writing has been like for me. As early as elementary school, after I “mastered” the English language, I knew the power of words. Never forgetting my English teacher’s words, “the more you read, the more you’ll build your vocabulary.” And that was important to me. For a large vocabulary meant more opportunities.
So I buried my head in a book, or two, or three. The importance of spelling words correctly, the power in knowing their meanings, the strength in knowing many of them, the way speaking them when your parents couldn’t empowered you, and how it allowed you access to a different world. I became a translator at the tender age of seven. Words were my safe haven. When expressed both in person and in writing, I noticed the profound emotional affect it had on others. I knew that this was my calling. Over the years, I’ve been granted a number of opportunities to not only share my work but also speak publicly in arenas that help uplift others to serve as well.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
As with all things that are destined to be, it definitely came with its own share of challenges. I write about it in my blog on www.issalivestyle.com. The piece titled “Courage is my Middle Name” in the Series, Healing in Your Own Skin describes it to a T. I became a single mother in my late 19 years of age. Turning 20, merely one month after the birth of my son. The circumstances behind this pregnancy were the defining factor in how I was going to live out my life. Mother first, writer “hopefully” after. My dreams were put on the back burner. And as any true creative knows, this did not mean it was the end of my writing. It just meant it was done quietly. Though I took advantage of opportunities to be a part of local writers groups and such, I only briefly took it on until yet another roadblock came to pass.
Most recently, after a revelation came to me upon the end of a business chapter for an investment that was less than lucrative. I was nudged back in the direction of doing what was going to best serve me in that moment. So I got back to reading and writing, and here we are. Issalivestyle was born.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My journey has led me on the path to serve others in the community. Though this path started by guiding troubled youth, it led to working with the community at large. Advocating for them in moments of crisis. My main role is as a Domestic Violence advocate for survivors in the county of Seminole, but I also serve as Crisis Interventionist on scene for all Law Enforcement Jurisdictions in the midst of a traumatic event. This means I’m usually working side by side with Law Enforcement officials on a crime scene. My role, to comfort, encourage, provide assistance to, counsel, and simply support the affected families and victims as much as possible. Helping guide them through the investigative process as well as ensuring their rights as victims and surviving family is heard.
Too often, I respond to overdoses where someone’s loved one has passed away. Though I haven’t shared this topic as much in my blog writings as of yet, I come from a family who was affected by a loved one who was and sometimes today still is dependent on substances that alter not only their lives but the lives of those around them. I see and feel their pain. It’s real to me. I know the path that has led to their demise. The guilt and shame that comes with seeing your loved one so deeply enthralled in a life that keeps holding them hostage. It’s an illness, I remind them.
My life experiences certainly set me apart. I’m a minority in many senses. I’m the second youngest of an immigrant family who, at an early age, had to “grow up” enough to handle my own responsibilities and assist the adults in my life to do the same.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
I’m a major believer in building community and mentorship. In fact, I helped develop the county’s first female youth mentorship program through the Seminole County Police Athletic League. Being involved with community partners, I was able to develop professional relationships with agencies in my area that had the same end goal. To serve others.
But beyond community and professional networking, I’ve learned that there are many networking groups all around us that are geared toward nearly any kind of activity you can think of. Through business networking, I’ve branched out into other networking avenues such as LinkedIn, Meetup, Facebook groups, and other social media strategies like searching hashtags. You’d be surprised who you connect with and how those connections are able to catapult you into your next opportunity. On the same note, do your research! You’ll find that some groups end up being “duds” if you’re not careful.
Use your time wisely. In this era of social media and corruption (don’t mean to get dark here), safety must also be a priority. Double and triple-check your sources and make sure it’s worth your time. Ask other professionals for recommendations. And don’t be afraid to reach out. You’d be surprised how some networking opportunities and accountability groups could help you establish long-lasting and meaningful relationships on your journey.
Contact Info:
- Email: issalivestyle@gmail.com
- Website: www.issalivestyle.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/issalivestyle/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/issalivestyle
Image Credits
Cese Photography
