SISTAH Teen Mentoring Initiative
Turning Dreams Into Reality Karen has worked hard to defy the odds that seem to hover over her life, family and home. She was determined to be the first person in her family to go to college, but was struggling with her high school classes. She lacked the guidance, motivation and support from her family that so many children receive during their adolescent years. Fortunately, one of Karen's teachers recommended the Dreams Realized through Education and Mentoring (DREAM) program at Vista Maria. It was at her first DREAM session that Karen met Lisa, a DREAM mentor. Lisa tutored Karen and helped with her homework. They talked about normal teen issues like boys, friends, what Karen wanted to study when she went to college, and her future aspirations. Karen finally had the life support and motivation she needed to overcome the odds. Karen is a shining example of how Vista Maria's Village of Hope programs are helping at-risk youth overcome barriers to their future success. When complete, the Village of Hope initiative will allow Vista Maria to expand essential programs and services to hundreds more at-risk children and families from our surrounding communities each year. Programs, like DREAM, provide youth with a foundation of support that carries them into adulthood. With essential programs and supportive services firmly in place, the cycle of poverty, that so many of our children are trapped in, will finally be broken.
Girls discover that they have value and that life has worth. Vista Maria becomes a place where girls can take their greatest fears and turn them into their greatest strengths.
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SISTAH TALK | APRIL – JUNE, 2013 | WWW.THESISTAHSMINISTRY.COM
