Jasmine | Age 17
Nurturing Hearts has changed my attitude completely. I’ve been through so much in my life. If it wasn’t for this program, I don’t know if some of my situations I went through would have came out so smooth and calm. One situation I was in occurred last year. My mother’s fiancé had just got out of jail, no problem with that, I was happy. She started taking money my father gives me for support and started giving it to him and used it for bills and other expenses. I started going without things. Sure I wanted things everyone else wanted, but what 15 or 16-year-old girl wouldn’t? I put myself aside because they said they needed it. I went without so many things to make them happy, so that I wouldn’t seem like I was being selfish.
She didn’t provide the things I needed and didn’t take an interest in anything happening in my life. I could do whatever I wanted and she basically treated me like as if I was an adult. I felt that she didn’t love me. I felt nobody did and still do sometimes. After all of that occurred he ended up still smoking crack and ended up cheating on her with a prostitute. He never paid any bills or contributed. We fell behind in rent. We lived in a big house and had to move because we couldn’t afford it anymore. My mother fell into a depression and left me at home by myself for almost 3 months! I still can’t believe she did that to me, her baby. In the fall of 2007, around the time of my birthday, she didn’t even wish me happy birthday. I don’t ask for much, just the things I need. I try to get most things myself. I didn’t want a party, cake, or shoes. All I wanted was for her and I to sit and eat together at home. She got mad at me a few days later, so I ended up moving with my sister for a few months feeling again unwanted. In the back of my mind, I still feel the same way, but being in this program has taught and shown me so many things. It has taught me that whatever my mom, dad or anyone else has done to me that it isn’t my fault. I have to worry and focus on improving myself. I can’t depend on anyone to help me graduate and better myself. Those are things I will have to want and do on my own. That’s why I recommend this class to all teen girls. It has truly strengthened me and made me a stronger young lady. Graduated Student ay Toni & Guy
Dominique Kafando struggled to stay in school just 12 months ago. The Central Career and Technical School student had D's and F's on her report card, and had been assigned to Central's alternative-education school. "I was missing a lot of classes," said Kafando, 18. "I didn't care much about school." A teacher referred Kafando to Nurturing Hearts, a local nonprofit organization that provides leadership and life skills for teenage girls.
Empower
We empower young women to have productive futures through holistic, gender specific programs, educations and experiences that are unique to young women.Spiritual Strength
Bible teachings will help each young woman recognize their individual beauty and unique gifts. We focus on God’s love.Positive Self- Esteem
Nuturing Hearts works to create a positive self-esteem in girls, helping them to recognize and celebrate their Inner and Outer Beauty.Motivation & Role Models
Through the use of motivational speaking and role models, Nuturing Hearts works to educate young girls on how to overcome life's obstacles.Who Are We
Nurturing Hearts is a non-profit organization that provides supportive leadership, motivation and life skills, which furnish and prepare girls 10-18 for a bright and positive future.