Earlier this week, I hosted the retirement party for Dr. Michael Carrera, a pioneer in pregnancy prevention and teen counseling, who worked at the Children’s Aid Society for the past 42 years. Dr. Carrera, known by his students as Doc, has worked in at-risk communities in the New York City area for his entire professional career.
His central thesis has been to make the children “feel safe… to hear the lost voices… to do the work through kindness and caring… it is more important to be kind than to be right… there is only one time to be kind and that is today… go back one more time because that is when the miracle occurs.”
Listen to him express in his own words, in the video below, why he has dedicated his life to making a difference and recognize a man who has reduced pregnancy rates by 50 percent on average in his 50 locations around the United States.
Three of Dr. Carrera’s students spoke at the event that night. They have gone on to college and are now in the working world. He made the difference at an inflection point for each of the young people; one even said that Doc had saved his life.
Doc, thank you on behalf of the children who have benefited from your work. You are the epitome of the indomitable man; knock me down 10 times and I am getting up the eleventh. This quote from Nelson Mandela is a fitting tribute to you; “It is always impossible until it is done.”
Richard Edelman is president and CEO.
