Our Appreciations

Special Thanks to our Community

The success of this project is a result of a collaborative effort. Therefore, I would like to take time to say "Thank You." I've tried to be all-inclusive, but should I have overlooked anyone, please know that it's not for a lack of gratitude.

To the participants, thank you for showing up and engaging in each and every session. We've learned so much about each other during our time together and will continue to develop our relationship as we progress. Your excitement and participation are a dream come true. Many of were committed and showed up for the sessions with an open mind. I hope that you hold on to what you’ve learned and allow these life lessons to assist you in your decision-making processes as you go and grow. Always remember that you have people that are rooting for your overall success. Lastly, we want you to know that each session was skillfully crafted with each of you in mind. I love you all!

Special note of thank you to all of the parents who allowed your children to attend and participate in The Advantage Mentorship and Leadership Academy. A special note of thanks to those that faithfully brought or arranged transportation for your children to attend the majority of the sessions. We realize that it wasn't always convenient. However, you pushed through so that your children would have these invaluable experiences. It is our prayer that they will hold on to the knowledge, life skills and lessons that they learned and apply them as they move forward. Your support means the world to the program. We hope you continue to allow them to grow with us as we develop and expand our reach.

To the facilitators... Thank you, thank you, thank you! This program could not have happened without your time, energy, talents, resources and willingness to serve our young people in this capacity. The information shared and discussed helped them to see their true value and potential in this world. This type of mentoring can not be purchased, it is truly a labor of love and passion. Therefore, anything that you did to lead, assist, or support in any way, please know that it was meaningful and greatly appreciated.

To Ms. Nina Watts of Sista NForce, Thank you soooo much for your contributions to the program. Your words of encouragement were felt and kept me going.  Thank you again for all that you did to support AMLA. I look forward to you coming and working with our youth with your bacon series!

Additional Helpers:

Ms. Tracey Walton, thank you for assisting with the copies and editing documents. Your willingness and ability to assist in that manner is most appreciated. Thank you again and again.

Thank you to the BEST Graphics Designer, Mr. Eli Williams! You delivered over and over again. Thank you to the moon and back. Your belief and support of the Academy is sure and guaranteed. We've had our moments and you remained committed to this project. The Academy appreciates you more than you'll ever know.

To the Board of The Advantage Mentorship and Leadership Academy:

Mrs. Jackie Martin, thank you for your assistance with EVERYthing! As always, your words of encouragement always came at the right time. Your contributions as the program Administrator are most appreciated.

Mr. Clifton Crump II, A sincere thank you for your numerous and invaluable contributions to the program. You always delivered what was requested and you delivered when I found myself in a tight spot. The program couldn't have had a better Academic & Session Planning Director. Your support and willingness to assist and show up for these young people speaks volumes about who you are and where your passion lies. Thank you!

Mrs. Antionette Cowan, Thank you for supporting and promoting AMLA from a distance! Your technical expertise and contributions are appreciated.

Mr. Matt Edwards, Thank you for your overall support, networking skills, and creative ideas. I look forward to them coming to life.

Last but certainly not least, An extra note of thanks to my daughter Kayla Madison-Denise Shell, who God used to light the smoldering flame within me to finally put some action to what was lying dormant within. Your words of encouragement, support and late nights of listening to the recaps of the progression and sessions are appreciated. Without you and our "Covid Conversations" who knows when this would have been birthed out?!? I also was to thank you for stepping up and leading not one, but two amazing sessions. I don't take it for granted... I love you and I appreciate YOU!!

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Testimonials

This mentorship class has helped with a lot such as mental health, prayer and even self-love. I would recommend this class because it was a joy to be in it. 
L. Glen (former mentee)
I would recommend the program to other people and I feel as if it affected my life in a good way. I made more friendships and like I improved friendships and I made new friendships throughout the church. I learned more about mental health and how to better myself as a person and I got new mentors throughout. 
J. Thomas (former mentee)
The mentorship program was an awesome experience for our household with my nephew Dee. He came home talking about what he learned, what he experienced. I've noticed a change in his responsibilities. I've noticed a change in his social skills, and how he just opened up socially. The mentorship program is a perfect example of what it means by ''It takes a village to raise a child." Having others just to pour into the youth and to spend time out of their busy schedules, just to pour into our youth. I think that's an awesome experience, all in itself. 
R. Moore (Parent/Guardian)
I learned to change tires, how to fix brakes and how to change oil which is something that can really help with our car. 
D. Oliver (Mentee)
On Sundays, my favorite facilitator was definitely Mr. Crump. He's one of my role models. I've looked up to him throughout the years. So, it was really fun to learn more about mental health with him and things like that. On Saturdays, my favorite session was probably painting. I love painting and that was with Ms. Jasmine & Ms. Toni. I like painting and being creative. So, it was a really fun activity for me. 
J. Thomas (Former Mentee)
I would tell future participants to be confident, be ready to learn and last but not least, don't be late. 
D. Johnson (Mentee)
The opportunity to teach the youth at AMLA was not only fulfilling but also inspirational. Seeing their excitement to learn motivated me to pursue my passion and teaching and training. The highlight of this experience for me was their confidence to ask questions. Their transparency with the topics discussed was confirmation that we all can contribute to their growth and development which is the foundation of this program. I truly believe that the youth are the future and the opportunity to have been a part of that. I'm truly honored to be a part of their future.
K. Seabrooks-Shell (Mentor)
Well, I think it's a great program. I think it's a well needed program. Each time I do this, it's special. There are special things that happen each time I lead these sessions.
 
Do you have any specific? 
 
Emily and Abigail were pretty comical. One would coach and the other would be the mechanic and then the mechanic ran into problems. The coach would say, "oh get out of the way. Let me do it" and and they did that back and forth all through changing the tire and it was pretty comical. They could almost make a TV show. 
 
Another was Dory, he was originally resistant. We promised him that he would learn a lot if he just stuck with us and just gave it a try it. So, he committed to the program and he came every session. I talked him through the changing of the oil. It was a pretty amazing day for me. I forgot a hammer at home that we were going to need under the car to get the oil plug loose. 
So, I told him I said I have a big piece of 
Steel in the back of my truck. We were going to make things work. I told him to hit it a couple times. I put the wrench on there and he did it a couple of times and it didn't budge. I said not hit it with everything you have. He hit it with everything he had and all of a sudden the wrench came loose and he asked "Did I get it?" And I said, "Yes, you got it." He said "Oh my God, I can't believe we got it with that big piece of Steel." I said "Well, we improvised!" So, we ended up changing the oil and just the confidence he gained. You could start seeing it in his eyes. It made me almost tear up.
Lastly, I enjoyed seeing the young adults from the previous class that come in and help out. That was always nice. 
Mr. Edwards (Mentor)