Worcester Loves Puerto Rico

Last year, during one of the hardest chapters of my life, this team showed up for me with humanity, patience, and care.

When trauma had my world feeling unsafe, they reminded me that safety still existed.

Today, I had the honor of returning to say thank you in person.

People often speak about institutions in broad terms, but behind those systems are human beings making choices every day about how they respond to people in crisis. These officers and crisis clinicians chose compassion. They chose dignity. They chose to see the human being in front of them.

You had my back when I needed it most.

Now I have yours.

I will make sure the world knows that kindness, emotional safety, and compassionate crisis response matter. Because they do. More than people realize.

Thank you for helping me survive long enough to heal: Duffy, Molly, Mieses. ❤️

Let me introduce part of my future. 👩🏽‍💻✨

Titi’s baby in STEM.

The next generation of curious minds that I plan on teaching not just how to use technology — but how to think critically about it, build with it, question it, and choose it wisely.

One day, this might very well be the tiny human I trust to help me pick my tech. 😭💻

And honestly? That means more to me than titles ever could.

Because legacy is not just what we build professionally.
It’s what we pour into the next generation:
confidence,
curiosity,
critical thinking,
creativity,
and the belief that they belong in every room they dream of entering.

Especially in STEM. ❤️

xoxo,
Jessica (Salcedo) Skerrett
Founder & CEO at Fierza™

Today was emotional in the best possible way.

I had the opportunity to personally thank the Worcester Police Department Crisis Team officers who helped save my life during one of the darkest periods I have ever endured.

People often speak about institutions in broad terms, but what the public does not always see are the actual human beings inside those systems who show up with compassion, patience, professionalism, and humanity when someone is in deep crisis.

These officers responded to me during a period of severe trauma and emotional distress, and I want to say this loudly and clearly:
their response mattered.

Their compassion mattered.
Their calmness mattered.
Their humanity mattered.

At a time when my world felt incredibly heavy, they treated me like a human being worth protecting.

And honestly? Their response gave me the courage to keep going.
To continue speaking up.
To continue healing.
To continue believing that I deserved safety, dignity, and support.

Seeing them again today and watching their genuine happiness at seeing me healthy, grounded, smiling, and alive… that is something I will carry with me forever.

Worcester PD gets criticized often, and fair conversations about systems absolutely matter. But accountability and gratitude can coexist.

So today, I want to publicly thank these officers and the Crisis Team for the role they played in helping me survive long enough to reach this chapter of healing.

Sometimes saving a life does not look dramatic.
Sometimes it looks like kindness.
Sometimes it looks like listening.
Sometimes it looks like showing up when someone feels completely alone.

Thank you for showing up for me. ❤️

From now on, I am only sitting at tables with people who genuinely respect me. ✌🏽

Imagine trying to survive and heal from deep trauma, while still carrying the emotional and financial weight of other people who were not protecting you in return.

That realization cuts deep.