Laura Castillo

Laura Castillo was born in Costa Rica and came to the United States at the age of 3, residing in Bridgeport, CT.  As a teenager, Laura was involved with the “wrong” crowd, and ended up in a Juvenile Detention Center.  Shortly upon release, she became pregnant at 14. Laura believes that her baby: Destiny is what changed her life. Laura started excelling in school, graduated with honors. Laura started working in her community with the Young Parent Program making a difference in the lives of others. Laura has testified at the Legislative Office to expand young parent programs in the New Haven area, spoke at various schools to prevent teen pregnancy, was a guest speaker for United Way of Milford, and recently spoke to other teenage mothers and encouraged them to believe in themselves and accomplish their goals.  Laura moved to Hawaii after high-school to go to college. That is where she met and married her husband: a US Army Soldier. In 2007, her husband deployed to Iraq, and was injured in combat. Laura has been faced with extreme life changing events, but overcomes them. Laura is now an Advocate for the Army Wounded Warrior Program where she provides personalized support to Wounded Warriors and their families. Laura is now a mother of three, and she balances full time work, and Full time school. Laura attends Argosy University and is working on her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. Laura turns tragedy into triumph, and believes in making a difference in people’s lives.