"As a teacher for 17 years and an advisor to the youth squad, the most interesting fact for me was that the students were still talking about Mr. Goldman's speech for some time after. He has an amazing ability to relate with today's youth and provide them with the inspiration and guidance that could change their lives."
Ed Nordstrom -Teacher, NY
"The belief, passion, and dedication of one person, holds the power to change the lives of many"
-Jay Goldman-
Jay Goldman grew up in Hauppauge, New York. As a child he suffered from social anxiety, had a learning disability, and was even held back in first grade for developmental issues. As a result he grew into a teen that was self conscious, withdrawn, and often times isolated from his peers. After the divorce of his parents at age fifteen which forced him to move out of his childhood home, Jay felt like he had lost everything. A year later on his sixteenth birthday he was rushed to the hospital for alcohol poisoning and then hospitalized for depression.
The following weeks would be the turning point in Jay's life. He made a conscious decision to shape the events of his life rather than let the events of his life shape him. Jay also realized that it wasn't that the people in his life didn't care about him; it was that he didn't love himself enough to let that care in. With the advice from a friend, Jay signed up to volunteer with the March of Dimes. This event changed his life. He found such fulfillment in giving back to his community that he immersed himself in volunteer work. He got involved in student government, DECA, SADD, and was even asked to represent his school at the NYSSAA leadership program his senior year.
After High School at the tender age of 19, Jay became a New York State Certified EMT and volunteered with his local ambulance company. On September 11, 2001 he was at the World Trade Center as a rescue worker. He was then awarded the New Member of The Year award form The Commack Volunteer Ambulance Corps. Jay has worked with The National Childhood Cancer Foundation, Special Olympics, AIDS Walk New York, and The Make-A-Wish Foundation to name a few. In 2006, he traveled to Brazil and volunteered in an orphanage for children born with HIV/AIDS.
Jay was awarded The Call to Service, Presidential Volunteer Service Award by President George W. Bush. An award that is usually given to American's after a lifetime of volunteer work, Jay received at age 25. He was also invited by The USA Freedom Corps and the United Nations to deliver a Keynote speech at The White House for International Volunteer Day 2007.
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