Unshattered Hope When It All Seemed To Crumble, Hope Remained

"Unshattered Hope: When It All Seemed To Crumble Hope Remained" is the story a young woman who found the courage to overcome the many obstacles which nearly broke her. At the age of 22, Valencia's life could have easily gone to waste behind bars for something she never did. She found herself torn between her daughter's death and losing custody of her only son. The system felt more like a "guilty until proven innocent" to her. Valencia had the choice to sit back and watch her life crumbled or fight for what she believed. She chose to fight.

Despite how difficult it seemed to look beyond her circumstances, Valencia believed she would someday see the light at the end of her tunnel.

This book is dedicated to anyone who's ever experienced the pain of losing a child, who's ever been wrongfully judged, mistreated or felt like suicide was the only way out. Through sharing her story, Valencia hopes this book will help to shine some lights into others' darkest moments.

Born in Verrettes, Haiti, Valencia Lorissaint moved to the US in 2000 at the age of twelve. She received her AA Degree from Palm Beach State College in 2010, a Bachelor in Social Work Degree from Florida Atlantic University in 2012, and a Master of Social Work degree from Barry University in 2014. She is currently employed as a medical social worker at JFK Medical Center. She's worked with at risk adolescents in the substance use treatment center, and as a trauma social worker at St. Mary's Medical Center and Lawnwood Regional Medical Center.

Her experience left her wondering whether there was anything she could have done differently to save her daughter. She decided to write this book in the hope that others might benefit from her experience and prevent history from repeating itself.

"I want to others to be aware and be motivated, encouraged, hopeful despite the challenges life throws at them," she says. "I believe that we are bigger than our problems. We are strong enough to overcome and not be overcome by our challenges. Life can be beautiful and rewarding despite the bitter moments we face at times. I aim to instill hope into others' moments of hopelessness and inspire people to keep on persevering. Joy comes in the morning; hard times don't last forever."