Meet Montserrat Guzman (left), the CARP Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC) Vice President!
Montserrat is a third year Criminal Justice student at GRCC. She has been with CARP Grand Rapids since it was established at GRCC. She decided to get fully involved after attending May’s 2018 Unification Principles retreat, hosted by CARP for the Midwest region. In that retreat, she reported she found people she could trust and a family that she wants to be part of.
Montserrat (middle) with her group during the Michigan CARP retreat.
Montserrat feels there hasn’t been enough good interaction between police officers and minority youth. Therefore, her dream is to become a police officer, so she can be, in her words, “the bridge that connects law enforcement with minority communities in a positive way.”
For her, CARP is the place to be.
“CARP helps me achieve my dream by improving my ways to approach community issues while keeping a healthy mind, heart and spirit.”
Montserrat enjoying sports with other CARP members at the retreat.
Currently, beside being CARP Vice President, Montserrat is also the president of the Criminal Justice club. She makes the transition effortless between the Criminal Justice Club and CARP. She’ll easily talk and promote either club with passion.
Montserrat (second to the left) with her Criminal Justice Club crew.
She brings a wider perspective and a lot of creativity to the CARP team. Although we would love to keep her in CARP forever, we are looking forward to see what change she’ll make in our community with the CARP Unification Principles.
Montserrat (right) and her friend Denis (left), who she brought to CARP.
We have heard different descriptions of what CARP is, but Montserrat’s description is probably the best one yet:
“CARP helps you find your true self and your place in the world. It’s cool! It’s legit! Please come to our meetings.”
Join CARP Grand Rapids’ meetings on Wednesday 5:00pm-6:15pm in the Multipurpose Room, Student Center Building. Follow them on Facebook. Contact jennifer@carplife.org to share your story.
Help more students like Monsterrat find family, purpose, and hope by donating today!