“Potential is available, and it’s always there. It’s alive in everyone!” said Elijah Blom, a Bronx Community College (BCC) student whose life has been shaped by resilience, determination, and the lessons of his father’s 20-year imprisonment.

Now in his first semester at BCC, Elijah is focused on ascending — academically, personally, and spiritually. At 23, he’s pursuing an associate degree in Criminal Justice, with plans to transfer to John Jay College of Criminal Justice and become a U.S. Marshal, driven by his desire to serve, protect, and inspire others who have faced adversity.

Born in Queens and raised in the Bronx, Elijah entered foster care at a young age and attended a residential psychiatric school upstate to address anger management and ADHD. Returning home, he was taken in by loving foster parents who provided the structure and care he needed. “I grew emotionally and spiritually,” he said. “They raised a fine young man for sure.”

After high school, Elijah joined the U.S. Navy, where he learned discipline, teamwork, and humility. “I developed reverence for those above and below me,” he said, crediting the experience with deepening his respect for others.

For the past year and a half, Elijah has reconnected with his father, who is pursuing college courses through John Jay’s Prison-to-Pipeline/Second Chance program. “My father understands what I’m trying to do,” Elijah said. “He knows I need to stay locked in mentally when it comes to school.”

Education, for Elijah, is both a tool and a mission. “It’s the key to social and economic mobility,” he said. “It opens doors no one can close.” A lifelong reader, he now fuels his growth through podcasts, TED Talks, and books that expand his worldview.

A major influence at BCC has been his Criminal Justice professor, Dr. Knox, who brings real-world justice experience into the classroom. “When students like Elijah connect their personal story to their studies, it creates real transformation,” said Dr. Knox.

That empathy is evident in Elijah’s interactions with classmates. When a fellow student followed him after class seeking connection, Elijah listened. “He told me nobody talks to him — not even his parents,” he recalled. “I want to be that person who’s there for somebody else. We all need that.”

Through study, service, and self-reflection, Elijah continues to rise above the hardships that once defined him. His journey is a testament to perseverance, purpose, and the power to ascend.