PROFILE: MIKE MASS

Mike Mass is an immigrant from Guyana, who came to America in 1994. He was born in Guyana of South America in 1987. He came to America at age 7 with his family of one full sister, two half-sisters and one half-brother. From Guyana, Mike and his family went straight to Brooklyn, New York, where they began their new life in America. Even though Mike and his family moved from neighborhood to neighborhood, they stayed in Brooklyn. His mother felt comfortable in Brooklyn because there were other family members already there as well as an abundance of Guyanese immigrants like themselves.
Mike began school in America for the first time. It was so different from Guyana for him. He was even made fun of for his accent, which slowly disappeared.
After making friends and enemies in elementary school, he went on to graduate from a high school specializing in art. From the outer appearance, no one would guess that this young man was a talented artist, but he was. Despite having this talent, he was forced to live on his own at the mere age of 19 and halt finishing his college education at a technical school in the city. This happened because his mom relocated herself to Georgia, leaving him in Brooklyn with his full sister, whom he still remains close to. They actually live in the same apartment building. To support himself and pay his bills, Mike now works at a senior living home in Brooklyn as a maintenance worker and engineer. With the economy so bad, it is difficult to keep a steady income and keep up with daily expenses and bills, but Mike manages to do so. He is an example for single young men who did not have to opportunity to finish college. By proper use of money management and good judgment someone like himself can survive in this crazy world. His motivation of surviving is to make a better life for his mother, himself and his fiancée. His mother is currently unemployed in Georgia so he sends her money every month. The better he does in life the better he can help her. I would definitely consider Mike focused and responsible. To get through life he prioritizes and sometimes sacrifices the things he really wants and gets the things he needs.
Despite this constant need for money and focus, however, Mike still has a fun side. He still remains close to some childhood friends, even the ones who used to make fun of his accent. Staying with Mike for more than 5 minutes in a comfortable setting will have you crying from laughter. It’s amazing how people can still find ways to enjoy life amongst their daily struggles. Mike’s story is one worth sharing with everyone I know.