My dream

My dream was birthed out of a simple conversation over twenty years ago. Full of enthusiasm, a family friend explained her flourishing ministry with group homes for boys. The ups and downs were worth the rewards! She mentioned a conversation with a female colleague who also worked with boys. I, then, asked if she worked with ministries who served girls. She emphatically responded, “No one wants to work with the girls! They’re too difficult!” As she continued to relay the woes of dealing with girls, a still small voice said, “But you can.”
My journey began that day! I have served several years as a youth leader teaching Sunday School, creating youth productions, and planning activities and outings for the girls and boys club. Soon after relocating to Georgia, I joined a mentoring program for teenage girls on probation and required to participate in the program. Later, I began working with a group home for young girls in state foster care. I preferred to work with the girls that were 12-15, believing that they were “easier” to work with. I, however, I was usually assigned the girls approaching 17 and older. This age group was quite a challenge for given their “sassy” personalities and my “old school” ways. I’ve listened to many heartbreaking stories of personal tragedies. I’ve learned their likes and dislikes. I’ve discovered from years of connecting with these young ladies how to really listen to what they have to say regardless of whether I agreed with them or not.
I believe that there is “nothing new under sun”. Every generation responds differently to life’s issues. The difference between the young ladies I’ve mentored, my nieces, and myself at their age is the positive influence of other women. My mother, aunts, and “play” aunts were a community of women that did not tolerate laziness or disrespect from their child or their neighbor’s child. The girls I hung out with had like-minded mothers. Get your education, keep your legs closed, and do something positive with your life! The message was the same throughout the community.
My dream is not to reinvent the wheel but to simply go back to the basics that were instilled in me by a community of strong black women. Good old fashion “home training” that still works. I will walk closely with young ladies and influence them be productive members of society. I will encourage them to develop character traits that demonstrate good judgment, strong work ethics, respect for self and others using biblical principles. “Iron sharpens iron” is my belief. We would all be dull and useless without positive relationships with others. Many young ladies struggle to imagine a better life than what they have been exposed to. My heart’s desire is to inspire them to imagine more! To desire the endless possibilities that God has available to them! It’s their choice to go through the process of changing their minds and achieving more out of life!