When newly appointed acting CEO of J-Cap Diane Gonzalez first met Thomas White in the 1970s, her life was on a downward spiral. She had dropped out of high-school and was involved with drugs.
Thanks to White’s organization J-Cap – a Queens non-profit agency that provided residential drug treatment and primary care programs for people affected and infected with HIV/AIDS as well as a teen parenting program for young men and women – Gonzalez found out how much she had to offer the community at large.
“Not only was [White] my friend, he was my mentor. He taught me everything I know about the field and the political arena,” said Gonzalez, who also served as White’s treasurer in his City Council position. “What’s important to me is keeping his legacy alive.”
Gonzalez started in J-Cap as a counselor in the youth program before becoming the director of the youth prevention program until 2004. She quickly climbed the latter to clinical program director, which entailed her leadership in all youth, residential and outpatient programs offered by J-Cap. She will take over for the late White, who passed after a battle with cancer and was laid to rest on September 2.
“It’s not the way I wanted to take over . . . I would prefer [White] retire than pass on. Although I’m excited about the job, I’m not happy because I lost my friend. That’s the only drawback. Other than that, I’m excited to take J-Cap to bigger and better places,” said Gonzalez.
Now residing in North Babylon, Gonzalez lived in Richmond Hill before moving to South Ozone Park. She hopes to expand upon the returning veteran program, which helps those in the armed forces deal with substance abuse problems and will focus on fundraising. Above all, Gonzalez knows what it’s like on both sides of the war against drugs and plans to use that her advantage.
“I am where I am today because of J-Cap,” said Gonzalez.
