"Changed Youth" Change Youth

Lauren Mora, student mentor at Woodrow Wilson High School.

Lauren Mora and Isobel Cabato were trained through our Power Lunch peer-to-peer mentorship program last year. As 11^th graders at Woodrow Wilson High School this year, they are ready to lead change within their generation.

According to Lauren, “Kids need to know that being mentored can benefit them and their futures. Mentors provide a safe place for them to express themselves and gain more knowledge about life, school, and relationships. Students need mentors to motivate and guide them.”

Isobel Cabato, student mentor at Woodrow Wilson
 High School.

Dallas Leadership Foundation’s Power Lunch program has two tracks. Weekly, adult mentors enter one of the 10 schools DLF is serving and use a life skills curriculum to facilitate discussions during lunch times. Mentors arrive at the schools with pizza and engage students on such topics as “How to improve grades” and “How to resolve conflict.” Concurrently, adult mentors hold training sessions for students on how to mentor their peers.

        YLM Director, Robert Triggs,  with PL students at Evolution Academy.

Isobel said, “I have always believed in Paul Shane Spear's ‘As one person I cannot change the world, but I can change the world of one person.’ The peer-to-peer training enhanced my understanding about student behavior in class and how mentors can change others. A student is more comfortable talking to another student rather than an adult, especially a teacher, because students understand each other.”

Teachers and faculty members at the 10 schools DLF is serving have welcomed DLF’s Power Lunch program because they see tremendous value in having students mentored. Denise Tucker, Director for the Academy of Finance at Woodrow Wilson High School, gave feedback from last year’s Power Lunch program  this way, “The student mentors were excited and they received amazing training from Dallas Leadership Foundation. Sometimes as adult mentors and teachers, we become parents; sometimes a student’s parents are not in the picture. Mentoring is a huge way to help them envision what could possibly be the future for them.”

Students in Power Lunch at Long Middle School.

When asked about their feelings regarding this year’s Power Lunch, Lauren said, “I am so excited! I'm looking forward to seeing each and everyone of the mentees grow and gain confidence in themselves. I am big on being comfortable in your own skin and where you come from, and just to be part of a program that allows me to help with these types of things is just such a blessing to me.”  Isobel added, “I am looking forward to this year's program. I am looking forward to what the program will bring to the students and how the program will benefit the mentees and the mentors. I am also looking forward to the free food.”

The Hernandez Family is Blessed with the Change They Needed

The Hernandez family wanted to paint their house but could not afford it. So when Ms. Marilyn Cox, president of their Wynnewood Heights neighborhood association told them that she had recommended them to receive home renovation services during Dallas Leadership Foundation's annual Celebration of Hope community workday, they were elated!  Since 1998, DLF has provided pro bono home repairs for hundreds of Dallas residents living in North, South, East, and West Dallas through Celebration of Hope.

Volunteers renovate a home in North Dallas during Celebration of Hope 2014.

During the annual event, residents and volunteers came together  to labor on behalf of others. Hundreds from all over Dallas demonstrated goodwill through compassionate community service.

As we met with Mr. and Mrs. Hernandez to discuss how they felt about the work we did on their house, they were very appreciative. Mrs. Hernandez was choked up with emotion while she explained what the help meant to her family:

"The Celebration of Hope program provided a lot of help for us. Since we are a low-income household, we didn’t have enough money to buy all that we wanted. We couldn’t afford the paint, brushes, etc. necessary to paint our house." 

The Hernandez family needed changes made to their home but did not have the means at the time. Help DLF continue to lead change by helping neighbors at their point of need.  

Alendra is Leading Change in Mill City

Alendra Lyons at Paul L. Dunbar preparing for the first week of School.

When people talk about Mill City, a small neighborhood located in south Dallas with a population of 665, it’s often in negative terms. Drug traffic, crime, unemployment, and housing deterioration are said problems in an area within walking distance of Fair Park.  With 79.1% of the population having an income below $25,000, a sense of despair has gripped many residents. But not Alendra Lyons, a former resident who has moved back and is fighting for change to occur in Mill City.

Alendra’s attachment to Mill City is personal.  She grew up in this small Dallas neighborhood and views it through loving lens. After years of living in other parts of Dallas and pursuing a career in education, Alendra decided to move back into the very house she grew-up in. Her decision was based in part on a trend common in many American neighborhoods.

An abandoned building in the Mill City neighborhood.

 

A generation of homeowners have died while their adult children, who live elsewhere, have no interest in returning to the community they grew up in. The result is a void in leadership. Homeowners who maintained their properties, business owners who stimulated the local economy, and community leaders who served residents are absent. 

Paul L. Dunbar Elementary School.

Alendra has not just moved back into her family’s house, she has also taken a job at the school she attended as a child, Paul L. Dunbar Elementary School. She sees education as the key to changing Mill City. Promoting literacy within her community, she encourages students to seize opportunities to learn and even lives next to a "Take a Book, Leave a Book" mini library. Alendra is actively engaged in the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) and is the main faculty contact for parents.

Alendra Lyons posing next to Mill City's book exchange box.

With a crack house next door, she soon realized that change wouldn’t occur overnight and that she needed help from the outside. As president of the neighborhood association, she extended an invitation to Dallas Leadership Foundation to partner with the Mill City Neighborhood Association. 
 

Since 2013, Dallas Leadership Foundation has partnered with Alendra on home renovation projects performed during our annual work day Celebration of Hope, strategic plans for long-term restoration, collaborative initiatives with other south Dallas neighborhood associations, and other services beneficial to low-income residents.

With fond memories of growing up in Mill City when times were better, Alendra is leading the change she wants to see in her community.

Alendra Lyons posing during DLF's Celebration of Hope' 14.

Teachers and Students Swap Roles For A Day

Perhaps the most influential factor in effective leading is effective following. All leaders were once followers. Sometimes the best way to develop leaders is to ignite their passion and restore

their confidence.

Just in time for a new school year, Dallas Leadership Foundation hosted a Teacher Professional Development Day in collaboration with the Irving Independent School District’s F.M. Gilbert Elementary School at our Ring of Hope Boxing Club for youth. The purpose was to motivate teachers and students.  Empowering educators to be more effective in teaching begins with helping them remember what it means to be a student while empowering students requires helping them to see their potential.  During the event, “kids got to be teachers and teachers got to be learners.  We wanted to get teachers out of their comfort zones to remember what it is like to be a student,” said Jamie MacDougall,  a teacher at Gilbert Elementary School and the visionary behind the event.

The entire day was a huge success! Faculty members were inspired to think differently about how they approach students, students were empowered to be more confident as they taught skills to adults, and teachers were encouraged to develop a new appreciation for students who struggle to acquire knowledge.  Approximately 80 teachers learned the basics of boxing, developed skills at using speed bags and punching bags, had their endurance tested, and engaged in shadow boxing taught by students.

As the 2014  school year begins,  teachers at Gilbert Elementary School are returning to classrooms more empathetic while students participating in our Ring of Hope gym are returning to their schools more confident.  All are leaders positioned for success.

Marvin Found A Reason To Live

After experiencing divorce and losing contact with his children, Marvin Yeager became depressed and started using drugs. "It was a really dark time for me" Marvin recalled. "I hung out with the wrong crowd. I quit caring about everything."  

Marvin’s life was out of control and his activities led to his arrest and imprisonment. By the time Marvin came to Hutchins State Jail, he was depressed and at an all-time low, “I didn’t want to live anymore,” he said. Without a reason to live, he asked the guards to put him in an area where he could not harm himself.  But instead of the requested area, the guards told Marvin that he was being moved to one of Dallas Leadership Foundation’s Faith-Based Dormitories (FBD).

A fellow inmate named Robert Castillo had previously told Marvin about the FBD program and introduced him to James Reed.  Marvin told James, “I’ve never been involved with God or anything. I’ve never opened the Bible.”  James told Marvin “God is going to change your life.” James’s words turned out to be prophetic.

Marvin’s experience in the dorm was so pleasant that it did not seem like he was still in prison. Everybody was nice to him and the environment was spiritually uplifting. Eventually Marvin prayed, “God if you’re real, save my life.”  Marvin’s outlook on life began to change with a newfound faith and a sense of purpose, “God gave me a reason to live. I learned whom God was while in the dorm. I thank God for putting me in prison and the FBD.” Marvin left prison energized with a new lease on life.

Upon his release, Marvin entered Dallas Leadership Foundation’s “Onesimus House,” a transitional facility for previously incarcerated men. Oftentimes, many former inmates struggle to find employment, overcome addictions and avoid former associations. With few job opportunities, family pressures and often a lack of skills, former prisoners can backslide. Onesimus House is a safe haven to ensure successful re-entry back into society.

While at Onesimus House, Marvin received resources to help with the re-entry process and assistance in finding employment. He also served in one of DLF’s target communities, the Jubilee Park neighborhood, during one of DLF’s Celebration of Hope community workdays. Marvin, who has plumbing experience, started doing odd jobs within that community. The Jubilee Park & Community Center staff were so impressed with Marvin that one day the Facility Manager called Marvin and offered him a job as their Facilities Assistant. Marvin has worked at Jubilee Park since 2012 and loves his job.

Marvin also joined Skillman Church of Christ in East Dallas and became an active member. The congregation at Skillman embraced Marvin like a brother. “I love going to church. I have best friends there. We just love on each other,” Marvin said while describing the warmth he feels at the church.

He loves life and takes care of himself by eating right, exercising, and running races for charitable causes. He cherishes the air he breathes and celebrates every moment. The same man who once wanted to end his life saw his life changed while in prison and summarizes the change as, “life means so much to me now.”

A Couple's Decision to Change Brought Healing

Manuel Bradley was a hurting man.  With a $1,000-a-day cocaine habit, he stayed on drugs 24 hours a day to dull the pain he felt. While living on the street, someone invited him to Dallas Leadership Foundation's weekly "Thursday Night Thrive" fellowship for the previously incarcerated at Smokey John’s Restaurant. Once he learned that the meal was free, he jumped at the chance to attend. During that visit, he met our Church Prison Collaborative Director James Reed for the first time and enjoyed the entire evening.  Although he still used drugs and was in and out of jail, Manuel continued to visit TNT at Smokey John’s BBQ restaurant and stated, “James always made me feel welcome.”

While at a crack house, Manuel met Grace, a woman who was trying to dull her own pain. Prior to meeting Manuel, she was living with an abusive man.  Life with him was so awful that she  turned to drugs to escape.  Grace later explained her mindset this way, “I tried to cope with my depression by getting high…I just wanted the pain to go away.” Manuel felt an instant connection to Grace, and they began to see a lot of each other. Over the years, he would refer to her as being his “angel,” and credit her for keeping him alive. One day while Manuel and Grace were driving, they were stopped by the police, charged with drug possession and arrested.  

Upon their release from jail, they both decided to make some changes to their lives. They relocated to a neighborhood not known for drug traffic and started attending a local church.  It was at this church that Manuel heard God tell him, “if you stop, you’ll be delivered." Manuel stopped using drugs that very day. According to Manuel, “when I really believed that God had delivered me, I started to live better.” Manuel and Grace stopped using drugs and spending time with people who used drugs. They also started volunteering at their church and made new friends. They became radical about not falling back into their former lifestyles. Instead of spending their paychecks on drugs, they would go shopping for other things.  And the couple took pride in paying all of their bills early and developing a good credit score.

Manuel deepened his association with James by not only attending the fellowship at Smokey John’s, but also serving at our faith-based dorms at Hutchins State Jail. It was during that time that James advised Manual to marry Grace. Within a month, the couple got married and James officiated at a small ceremony at Dallas Leadership Foundation.

The Bradleys have been off drugs for four years and LEAD CHANGE in the lives of other hurting people. They serve with Dallas Leadership Foundation at our faith-based dorms at Hutchins State Jail and our weekly TNT fellowship at Smokey John’s. Individuals who once said “I got tired of hurting” are no longer in pain.

A MENTOR TOOK THE LEAD TO CHANGE SADE'S LIFE. NOW SADE IS LEADING CHANGE IN OTHER LIVES.

18 year-old Sade Bluitt has been interning at Dallas Leadership Foundation’s Spark Summer Leadership Camp for free this summer. As a middle child within a family of six children and raised by a single parent, Sade understands what it means to share and to serve. Coincidentally, although she is unfamiliar with her namesake, famous singer “Sade,” she has similar class and charm. And, as a recent graduate from Cornerstone Crossroads Academy, she is poised for success as an up and coming leader.

With humility, Sade credits the adult leaders serving within Dallas Leadership Foundation’s Youth Leadership Movement (YLM) and its’ annual Spark Summer Leadership Camp with helping her develop as a leader. She attended the camp for two summers consecutively as a high school freshman and sophomore. During that time, she learned about videography, participated in the talent shows, wrote song lyrics, and grew spiritually.  With a strong spiritual thirst, she stated, “I like to learn about God, I like to learn about God in music, and everything related to God…”

The impact made on Sade at the camp resulted in a mentor-mentee relationship with Mr. Adrian McConnell, one of the main youth leaders at the camp.

Taking her under his wing during the school year, Mr. McConnell involved Sade in the YLM’s Power Lunch program as a leader this past school year. Power Lunch is our high school program for teens using a life-skills curriculum facilitated during lunchtime. Students attend voluntarily and receive hot pizza as they listen to facilitators and discuss topics. As a student herself, Sade willingly volunteered to help her classmates during their lunchtimes.

As a senior, Sade was well rounded with her favorite high school subjects being math, art, and music. She also played the clarinet in the school’s marching band. Somehow, in addition to keeping her grades up and volunteering, she also managed to prepare for a nursing career. So when she graduated with her high school diploma this past May, she also received her certified nursing assistant (CNA) credential.  Sade will attend college this fall, and then nursing school, to ultimately become a registered nurse (RN). Without a doubt, she will continue to lead by serving others. A young leader positioned for great success!