by Ananya R., 16
As a Greek statesman once wisely said, “Small opportunities are often the beginning of great enterprises.”
This timeless principle is exemplified in Chrissy D’Amico’s journey. Some of the greatest success stories in the world begin at one moment that seems like any other. For Chrissy D’Amico, one opportunity sparked a transformative journey that led to the creation of Blue Dot—an organization dedicated to making a profound difference in the lives of adults with special needs.
As a high schooler, Chrissy was in search of a tech internship in order to gain valuable experience and skills for her future. After exploring several internships that didn’t quite match her interests, Chrissy turned to a teacher of hers in hopes of a new direction for her internship search. To her surprise, she found it. Her teacher had a child with Down Syndrome and was able to connect Chrissy with a program that had tech classes for kids with disabilities. After securing an internship there, she found her passion.
Chrissy knew then that she wanted to “work with,” “support,” and “make the world a better place” for individuals with special needs. Going through the internship, then college, and grad school, Chrissy began to see a need for support and resources for newly turned adults with disabilities. Throughout the years, she slowly built the vision that would one day become Blue Dot.
While the idea of Blue Dot may have begun with a single opportunity, it was just the beginning. The road to creating this organization was filled with numerous challenges and triumphs. Like many other businesses and organizations, Blue Dot “started from zero” (D’Amico). Chrissy built her company from the ground up, acquiring financial knowledge, business experience, partnerships, and a community to bring her vision to life.
Even with the passion and commitment she brought to Blue Dot, Chrissy often wondered if “[she] could make it work.” It took a tremendous amount of effort to face and conquer that self-doubt. However, Chrissy’s resilience and determination never wavered. She developed a deeper understanding of her capabilities through actively engaging with her community and investing in her personal and professional growth.
An important moment arrived when she involved her community members with disabilities in volunteer work at local events and programs. For instance, Blue Dot was able to connect its community members with local food pantries, community gardens, and a local cafe that employs adults with disabilities. Chrissy also set up a program where her community members get hired by local businesses. Currently, four members are employed with supportive coaches. Seeing them gain confidence and purpose from giving back to the community provides her with joy and fulfillment, quieting the voices in her head. The experience empowers those she wished to help and reinforces her belief in the impact of her work.
One of the highlights of Blue Dot’s community engagement in its early stages was its Joy Fest program. Over 400 people came to celebrate and support one another on the local Asbury Park boardwalk. Local musicians performed, restaurants contributed food through food trucks, and everyone came together to enjoy one another’s company, creating vibrant and beautiful memories to remember.
Chrissy believes it is so important to come together and “infuse fun back into life” (D’Amico) as we get carried away with life’s expectations and worries. This leads to her prioritization of random acts of kindness, an important foundation of Blue Dot. She partners with local florists and supermarkets who donate extra flowers. Then, the Blue Dot community will sometimes walk down the main street and hand them out to passersby, spreading “little pops of life throughout the community” (D’Amico). Chrissy and her community often see the positive ripple effects these small acts of kindness have on society and value the beauty of these interactions, making everyone feel part of a larger movement.
Through her dedicated and innovative approach, Chrissy turned a single opportunity into a thriving community that touches countless individuals. Her success is a reminder that every step taken toward one’s dream contributes to a larger impact. By building up Blue Dot and creating a space filled with kindness and support, Chrissy has empowered adults with special needs and positively impacted the lives of everyone involved.
Chrissy’s journey teaches that no opportunity is too small to be the start of something magnificent. Her story is a testament to the fact that with passion, dedication, and vision, anyone can create and contribute excellence to society.
Blue Dot is a reminder to recognize and seize small opportunities in life, knowing they can be the foundation of big dreams and bright ideas.
Bridge Ink 