"The ambition I’ve had since childhood is stronger than ever as I plan to walk the stage this May. I will be getting my degree in journalism with a minor in accounting from Texas Southern University. I will never forget a chapter that has played a pivotal role in the makings of me, one I’d like to call Huckleberry. I would not be where I am today if not for Huckleberry. The leadership skills I’ve gained and the relationships I’ve made through Huckleberry have had a huge impact on my life.
My life before Huckleberry was a downward spiral. I was constantly fighting with my mother and getting into trouble in and out of school. My grades were not the only thing slipping, I felt like I was losing control of my life. I knew there was something in me that wanted out and I decided I had to make some drastic changes before I made bad decisions I couldn’t fix.
I made a move that saved my life; I began to see a Huckleberry therapist. It didn’t take long for me to open up to my therapist and I began to see improvements in my behavior.
My therapist suggested that I consider joining Violence is Preventable (VIP) Girls, a former program for girls offered at Huckleberry’s Cole Street Clinic, to channel my energy. VIP helped me find my sense of self by building my self-esteem and placing me in leadership roles, facilitating group activities. VIP helped me shut the door to the negative aspects of my life and encouraged me to find what I was passionate about by writing out my own history of resiliency. The work that Huckleberry staff did with our group motivated me to give back to my community. After completing the program, I participated in an intense internship with Huckleberry. I officially became a part of the Huckleberry team in March 2005, and while I worked at the clinic, I co-facilitated over five girls groups helping young women that were in situations like mine.
I truly felt like a leader when I got to plan group, write curriculum, and handle paperwork. I felt responsible in the position I had, and equal to the adult staff. During my time with Huckleberry, over 40 young women completed the program and it felt great to be a part of that process. I even got special recognition from SF Mayor Gavin Newsom on the work we did in the Western Addition neighborhood. I still keep in contact with some of the girls and I am happy to see that they have turned their lives around. A few of the girls are planning to attend college after graduating high school.
During my college years, I became an unofficial health educator in my dorm. My friends knew that I worked at a clinic and constantly asked me for advice on common health issues facing collegiate young women including contraceptives and STIs. Word spread fast that I was the go-to girl for health questions and all of the sudden it seemed like I was giving workshops in the dorm. Huckleberry proved me to be a leader no matter where I was as long as I used my training and leadership skills.
Considering where I was, I am amazed at the woman and scholar I’ve become. Although I went away to college, I never felt like I left Huckleberry. What I received there has always been with me. As I start a new chapter of my life, I still believe in what Huckleberry does and I know that they change the lives of many young people just like me."
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