Submitted by Zalenda of Virginia

As youth, Keith and I participated in several out-of-school programs that challenged our intellectual curiosity and motivated us to improve academically. We greatly benefited from the investments of others in our lives and we wanted to invest the same level of time and energy in today’s youth. Therefore, we established IT’S TIME, Inc. (Inspiring Thoughtful Students by Taking Initiative to Motivate Excellence), a nonprofit corporation serving middle school students in Washington DC. IT’S TIME’s mission is to help develop young leaders through programs aimed at broadening their perspectives while teaching them how to invest wisely and communicate effectively. It provides a multi-disciplined approach targeting young people (particularly those students at risk) that would teach essential skills, encourage academic excellence and provide an information resource. The syllabus includes three programs: Financial Literacy, Public Speaking and Lunch Time Speakers. It is a three hour Saturday program series that provides students with tangible tools for academic scholarship. The programs were started in January 2009 when classroom accommodations were made available through partnership with school administrators. Offering twenty sessions during a full school year, IT’S TIME serves an important role in the community by helping to develop competent, confident and motivated youngsters. Exposing young people to various career options and teaching them prudent money management and effective communication techniques produces inquisitive, positive and knowledgeable students who exemplify IT’S TIME’s vision of future leaders. Staffed solely by volunteers, IT'S TIME stresses in each of its programs, the importance of education in achieving life goals. Lastly, this initiative was acknowledged in the 2009 Heroines in Technology Award presented to me by the March of Dimes and Women in Technology.

Submitted by Justina of Pennsylvania

Justina witnessed an increase in young people seeking housing because their families were facing eviction or foreclosure, living in overcrowded situations, or aging out of foster care. In 2008, Ms. Justina established OPPORTUNITIES-PA (OPPORTUNITIES) to address the needs of homeless youth. OPPORTUNITIES enables homeless young people ages 18 to 25 to successfully transition from adolescence to adulthood. The mission of OPPORTUNITIES is to educate, equip, empower, and encourage homeless and other at risk youth and young adults to achieve their academic potential and professional goals by offering them supportive services and stable housing. Ms. Justina helps her clients obtain housing, employment and provides life coaching and mentoring to aid clients as they set short and long-term benchmarks with the ultimate goal of achieving self -sufficiency. OPPORTUNITIES has a twelve member governing board, and ten dedicated volunteers that lend their expertise to strengthen the organization. OPPORTUNITIES also maintains partnerships with local organizations, businesses and globally recognized corporations. A young man named David is one of the many OPPORTUNITIES success stories. With assistance from the organization, David obtained employment, and enrolled in trade school where he is now studying to become an electrician. David was also accepted into a local social service program that provides him with rental subsidy for a one-bedroom apartment. While David pushed himself to overcome great odds, he credits OPPORTUNITIES with helping him meet the many challenges along the way. David also credits the organization with identifying opportunities that made it possible for him to reach his short and long-term goals.

Submitted by Marian of Virginia

All too often we hear of the negative things our youth are involved in. I would like to introduce a group of kids who are making a difference within the community. The Quiet Storm as they are called is an amazing group of kids that give of their time and talent to serve the community. The group consists of six kids that range in age from 5 to 17. These young people share God’s love for all people through their mine dance ministry. Total commitment on the part of the members, coach and parents is expected to participate. As their Coach, works closely with the kids, parents and schools to ensure that each child maintains their passing or honor roll grades. Misbehavior on the part of members while at home or school is now allowed. Each child understands their participation in the group is determined by their actions. Since the group was formed they have been asked to perform at varies functions in the Washington Metro area to include: Nursing Homes Family Reunions Churches Services Community Outreach Programs To include Inmate Re-entry Once participating in the Inmate Re-entry Program the members expressed their desire to minister to those who are still incarcerated. They look at this opportunity as another way to help bring change. The members understand their presents may not be possible, but, DVD’s of their performances might be shown during services /programs within the facility. Whatever the need, the group has been committed to help in any way.

Submitted by Teresa of Ohio

I recoginze the lack of wholesome programs in my community. So, I came up with the concept of providing a sewing circle, Call Crafty Tee's Sewing Divas they range from age 10 -90 years old, to help meet some of these needs and to demonstrate what you can learn at any age. Through donations of fabric and sewing machines we have created walker & wheelchair bags to donate to inter-city nursing homes so the residents will have easy access to small personel items ie. tissues,notebooks & pens,paperbacks etc. We, have a long list of items we would like to make and donate.We are always in need od usable fabric and sewing notions.

Submitted by Joseph of Ohio

Hi my name is Joseph and I've been building huge Igloos with the neighborhood children over the past three years. I originally started the year of 2008 in my front yard, it has gotten so big that I had to go into the inner-city of Cleveland OH and get a quarter acre of land to make the 2010 Igloo Mansion. As for the question, “Why I want to have this project in the inner-city?” There are many reasons why I would like to have this project in the inner-city. One of the main reasons is that I would like to give inner-city children a chance to be involved and witness something amazing. Too often, these children are left out of activities that could expand their horizons and increase their knowledge of other cultures and how they sometimes must adapt in order to survive. Most of the time, they only get a chance to see something of this magnitude on TV, not in real life. I think it’s time for them to be the focus of something positive, educational and instructional. Too often, during the winter, kids are indoors with nothing to do but watch TV and play video games. This will give them something to do. They can assist by helping to fashion the actual building of the “Igloo Mansion. This is not the only thing that I’m doing for the community. I feed the homeless, volunteer for various organizations; have free cookouts for the children and much more.

 

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