
This deep shift in her own life inspired Lydia to help others going through similar challenges. One of the ways she helps empower people is through her involvement in various mentorship programs. “Being able to advocate for people and be a role model is powerful and rewarding — you can see the impact it has,” she says. “It can be so isolating to feel like there's nobody out there who understands you or looks like you.” That’s why it's important for Lydia to be visible in the community. Being a reflection for others is empowering. It builds confidence, a sense of inner strength.
“Being able to show up in the world as your authentic self — it’s a powerful statement to yourself, it inspires others and it creates a feeling of community,” Lydia shares. “And that's when you really flourish as a person and are able to provide a lot more to the community and the world.” That’s especially true when people are able to see others who look like them or identify similarly to who they are. Along with this work with the LGBTQI+ community, Lydia is also very passionate about the life changing power of education. To that end, she spends time working with organizations that provide scholarship funds for youth.