We Believe in Angels
While it seems the media would have the world believe positive, productive young people are a myth, groups like the DeShawn Snow Foundation’s Angels are proof positive that there is still hope.
In partnership with the Atlanta’s Andrew and Walter Young Family YMCA, the DSF Angels program has – for the second year in a row – taken a group of young women who were targeted to fail and turned their lives upside down.
The second-annual DSF Angels Retreat was a two-day event that was two years in the making. This past May, the 20-girl group gathered for this annual gathering. This event was the culmination of months of community service, cultural events, etiquette training, communications workshops and all-around leadership development.
According to the DeShawn Snow Foundation, the Angels hoped to “develop a positive self image, understand the need for community involvement, develop social and life skills and finally focus on their future both personally and professionally.”
With such lofty goals, how did Jessica Muhammed, Angel’s coordinator, keep the girls up to par? The hand-picked group of promising girls met a set of stringent conditions to join the year-long Angels program. These conditions included attendance, grade and community serve requirements.
Their diligence paid dividends, as the young ladies completed the program and celebrated in grand style with a professional photo shoot. “Because these ladies came from a particular socio-economic background, so many people believe that their fates were sealed – they were limited as to how their lives could pan out. That’s just not true. Many people use their experiences to grow strong. These young ladies proved that where you come from does not dictate where you’re going.”
The Angels founder agrees. DeShawn Snow says, “I believe girls can be empowered and challenged to make a difference in their own lives if they are afforded the opportunity to do so. The DSF Angels Program is another critical step in us profoundly shaping and affecting the lives of teenage girls.”
Support the DSF Angels as they prepare for their third year. Help them refine more young women into the polished, prepared leaders of tomorrow. For more information on how you can help, contact 877-578-0231 ext. 81.