As the cold, off-the-ocean air swept through the outlet stores in Atlantic City, Jacob Torres’ thoughts drifted toward the unhoused people he saw along his walk home.
Even as a kid, if he had a bag of chips or some candy, he’d hand them over. He never had more than a couple of dollars in his pocket to give. But he gave anyway.
Torres always felt a pull to take care of people who needed it. That instinct would shape everything — his struggles, his healing, and eventually, the man he became at Manor College.
Taken Into Foster Care at 11, He Vowed to Be Someone His Siblings Could Look Up To
Torres was 11 years old when he and his five siblings were removed from their home while their mother battled alcohol and substance abuse. Torres and his younger siblings entered New Jersey’s child protection system. His oldest brother went to live with an aunt. The rest were split up — Torres and one brother were placed in one home, the other three in another.
The moves came often, especially at first. And through it all, Torres carried a weight most kids never know.
“I felt like my mom gave up on us,” Torres said. “I didn’t grow up with a father and never met my dad. I don’t think I ever will. I wasn’t around my siblings. That was the root of my anger.”
But even then, his sense of duty never left him.
“I felt like it was my duty to take care of them,” he said. “I wanted to be the person that they look up to and say, ‘You’re going through this, and I know it’s hard, but your brother got out. You can, too.’”
A Turning Point: How Ranch Hope Helped Him Find His Way
Torres’ life began to shift when he was placed at Ranch Hope, a nonprofit in Salem County, N.J., that provides mental health services, treatment, and education to at-risk youth and families.
“That changed my whole demeanor,” Torres said. “I didn’t know how to deal with what I was facing. Ranch Hope helped me get rid of a lot of anger issues.”
It was the first time someone had given Torres the tools to process what he’d been carrying. It wouldn’t be the last.
At Manor College, He Found a Community That Matched His Values
When Torres arrived at Manor College, he didn’t just find a place to earn a degree — he found people who reflected back the kind of person he wanted to become.
He connected with Faculty Member Dr. Cherie Crosby-Weeks, and through her, regularly took part in community service projects. He led several of his own, including Batting for 400, a fundraiser benefitting TLC for the People’s Monthly Outreach, and gift bag and card-writing events for the Breathing Room Foundation.
“They surround themselves with good people — Dr. Crosby-Weeks, Leslie Weinfeld, Professor Tom Sims — those are people who want to help out and do good for others,” Torres said. “They are someone like I want to become. I want to do what’s needed of me, to go out and do more for people that can’t.”
That spirit didn’t go unnoticed.
“Jacob stands out because, when he volunteers, he does so selflessly, yet he truly embodies what it means to have an altruistic life,” said Crosby-Weeks. “He understands the importance of helping to encourage others to give back.”
The Professors Who Showed Up — and What That Meant to Him
At Manor, Torres found more than a curriculum. He found professors who genuinely invested in him.
Professor Weinfeld, he said, consistently went above and beyond — showing up for him even when she didn’t have to.
“Professors want you to succeed, and she is the number one prime example of that,” Torres said. “She’s got kids and grandkids, but no matter what, she is always there and always willing to help.”
Weinfeld says Torres gave just as much as he received — and changed the energy of every classroom he was in.
“Jacob made it so classes weren’t just teaching and showing, it was a group engagement,” she said. “He made others comfortable participating in class by participating himself. He helped bring out other students from being shy. Just talking out in class, showing how he got to answers, helped others feel less intimidated.”
That’s the Manor difference; it’s small enough that students don’t fall through the cracks, connected enough that the people around you become part of your story.
First in His Family to Graduate — and Already Paying It Forward
In May 2026, Torres walked across the stage at Manor College’s commencement ceremony and received his bachelor’s degree in Sport Management. He was the first person in his family to earn a college degree.
“It feels unreal,” Torres said. “It means everything to me. I’m finally becoming someone my family can look up to and be proud of.”
He’s already building a life that reflects his degree and his values. Torres coaches basketball for the Christian Youth Basketball Association, mentoring young players in the same way he once hoped someone would mentor him.
His Advice to Any Student Who Thinks Their Past Disqualifies Them
Torres has a message for anyone who thinks where they came from will determine where they end up.
“Find what you love to do and just keep going,” he said. “Don’t let your past be your excuse. It should be something you overcome. Let it be your strength, your integrity, and your resilience.”
Torres is a member of the Manor College Class of 2026. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Sport Management. Interested in following his path? Explore Sport Management and other degree options at Manor College.
