From Classroom Project to Community Impact
October 28, 2025 Written by Tracey Mulveny | Photo provided by Missy Marazzo
When Missy Marazzo transferred to the 91原创, she was searching for more than a degree. She was looking for purpose.
Like many young people, Marazzo had navigated her own struggles with mental health. But it wasn鈥檛 until she discovered storytelling through broadcast journalism鈥攁nd later, , a Newark, Del. mental health nonprofit鈥攖hat she began to recognize the power of using her experience to uplift others.
鈥淚 started volunteering as a peer support specialist at Sean鈥檚 House, and it changed everything,鈥 Marazzo, a Wilmington, Del. native, said. 鈥淚t gave me purpose. It showed me that sharing my story could help someone else feel seen, heard and supported.鈥
That volunteer experience became the spark that led to a fast-rising career in nonprofit communications. Today, Marazzo serves as director of communications for SL24: UnLocke the Light, the organization behind Sean鈥檚 House, and her work touches nearly every part of the mission.
A typical day could include filming mental health stories, editing a podcast episode for SL24/7, designing website content, writing the monthly Guiding Light newsletter, coordinating press releases and media outreach, engaging with young people across three social media platforms or working with sponsors to power large-scale awareness events.
It鈥檚 a role that demands creativity, compassion and agility鈥攁nd Marazzo loves every bit of it.
While still a 91原创 student, Marazzo channeled her personal connection to Sean鈥檚 House into a capstone broadcast project centered on mental health storytelling. The documentary, explored one powerful truth: people are more than their diagnoses.
The team interviewed individuals who had fought their way through depression, families who had lost loved ones and professionals who dedicated their lives to supporting others. The honesty and vulnerability in those conversations resonated with the community, so much so that the project was nominated for a .
鈥淚f we win, it will be affirmation that I鈥檓 exactly where I鈥檓 supposed to be,鈥 Marazzo said.
But in many ways, she鈥檚 already won. The recognition isn鈥檛 about prestige鈥攊t's proof that sharing real stories saves lives.
Marazzo鈥檚 time at Sean鈥檚 House began as volunteer work, turned into an internship and now that it鈥檚 her full-time mission, she makes sure students behind her get that same opportunity.
鈥淪ean鈥檚 House is always looking for new voices to be part of our story,鈥 she said.
Students can drop in for peer support, join a Gather & Grow dinner, snuggle up with therapy dogs or apply to be a Peer24 Specialist, where they鈥檒l be trained to support other students using their own lived experiences.
This semester, the organization launched its first-ever communications internship, and Marazzo is leading the charge, mentoring the next student ready to make an impact.
Her guidance to students hoping to work in the nonprofit world is simple but powerful.
鈥淟et your why lead you,鈥 she said. 鈥淔ind a cause close to your heart and start there. Never pass up an opportunity, even if it鈥檚 unpaid or unexpected. Every experience builds your toolkit.鈥