T. Nicole Wright, of Chicago, Illinois, is a young woman of vision. She is a highly effective and exceptional probation officer—going beyond the call of duty to help her young clients to turn their lives around and to make positive changes. She also works in her community as a counselor and teacher, while serving as the legal guardian and primary parent for her niece.
In the fine company of other Spirt of Youth awardees, Nicole, too, has accomplished all of this and more following a difficult life journey that included losing her mother to illness at a young age, living in foster care separated from her siblings, and entering the juvenile court after getting into low-level street crime and fights; angry and hopeless.
Through the intervention of a caring and concerned probation officer and other she met while under the charge of the juvenile court, Nicole came to see that her life had value and that she could accomplish great things. She completed high school, went on to college and was launched into her successful career and graduate school. Nicole truly exemplifies human recovery and resilience.
See all winners of Spirit of Youth Award.
