Divine Love Meets EVERY Need!
By Stephanie A. Walker Stradford, CEO, YouthUSA
AMWS, December 30, 2010, Marietta, GA – During this season of caring and sharing, I was reminded by a high school colleague that “when you feel like something is lacking from an area in your life, repeat over and over, Divine love always has met and always will meet my every need.”
Dr. Sheila E. Nutt, Director of Educational Outreach, Harvard Medical School, shared these words of wisdom and I will never take them for granted. Dr. Nutt (permission granted to use this term) graduated in the GHS Class of 210 along with me and several other “world changers.” Each of us had and still has something special. We were graduates of the exclusive Philadelphia High School for Girls (GHS). By reward or FEAR, we were given the motivation to excel!
GHS was and still is considered to be one of the premiere educational institutions in the City of Philadelphia. The curriculum clearly concentrates on academic achievement. However, English, Math, Science, Foreign Languages, etc. are all skillfully integrated with holistic programs. Today, these women have excelled in diverse professions throughout the world.
I am always inspired when I encounter a woman or man who is clearly focused on who they are and their purpose in this short life. Obviously, I am overjoyed when I meet youth or young adults, ages 7-24, who are keeping their eyes on the prize and moving forward to pursue their goals. You must first see yourself as becoming _____, to speak it with your mouth, believe it in your heart, and know that ALL things are possible.
The mission today, should you accept, is not to fall in the gap of the 49% who will watch things happen, nor the 49% that will wonder what’s happening. Be the two-percenter (2%) who will make things happen…for you, your family, community and this nation. And, never lose sight of the fact that Divine love meets every need.
If you are open-minded enough to share your gifts and talents with others, please visit www.YouthUSA.org and help one young person, age 7-24, identify their goals, meet their needs and possibly they will help someone else along the way. Remember to pay it forward. May you and your family be blessed beyond measure in the New Year!
YouthUSA is the trade name for Youth Achievers USA Institute, a 501c3 Public Charity.
Why Goals?
Seven development areas of one whole person defines an asset within the corporation’s economic development program.
By Eric Stradford
AMWS August 19, 2010 — A young man, barely eleven years old, challenged our corporate requirement for written goals. “Why do I have to do this,” he asked. “Why are these goals so important to you?”
An old friend weighed in from halfway around the world, “what can we do to make things happen for our youth?” One of many seasoned souls stood toe-to-toe with the reality of 21st Century living. “I do believe in…..” but, he interjected, “my reality is the next loan payment on the $300,000 home I’d hoped to own.
The U.S. Government is likewise concern with reality. The Obama administration announced the collaborative efforts of twelve federal agencies meeting on ways to promote positive, healthy outcomes for youth.
The plethora of threats facing American youth are compounded by unsupervised access to information. Positive Youth Development (PYD) is but one of the strategies surviving the federal evolution from HAY (Helping America’s Youth) to SYV (Shared Youth Vision) to IAWGYP (Inter Agency Working Group on Youth Programs).
IAWGYP defines Positive Youth Development as an intentional, pro-social approach that engages youth within their communities, schools, organizations, peer groups, and families in a manner that is productive and constructive; recognizes, utilizes, and enhances youths’ strengths; and promotes positive outcomes for young people by providing opportunities, fostering positive relationships, and furnishing the support needed to build on their leadership strengths.
Since 1996, producers for THE ANNUAL YOUTH ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS have promoted PYD as an alternate reality for 21st Century human development. Nearly 100 youth and young adults have invested individual goals toward a corporate reality that values individual faith. Up to now, those who become productive community, business , faith or family leaders have been considered assets to the process.
Youth Achievers USA Institute (YouthUSA), a 501c3 public charity, values each beneficiary’s Spiritual, Physical, Social, Financial, Educational, Professional and Recreational goals as “Money-n-the-Bank.” Seven development areas of one whole person defines an asset within the corporation’s economic development program.
“Reality can be affected by society, but we can and must make choices that add value to society and define our values within a global community,” said Stephanie A. Walker Stradford, YouthUSA CEO.
Mrs. Stradford announced the availability of $10,000 in grant and fellowship funding for qualifying communities, churches and families. The fund has already increased in value through generous contributions in memory of Mary Ann Walker Ralls.
Ms. Ralls’ sister, Evelyn Walker Armstrong, established the J.D. and Laurena Walker Fund to honor her parents and promote positive family values among their descendents.
Since 1997, The Fund has demonstrated growth through the development of youth, nonprofit organizations and churches as beneficiaries.
Originally established as The J.D. and Laurena Walker Foundation of the NHF, The Fund serves as a development resource for public charity programs.
The development program builds on 12 partnerships with any local youth or young adult age 7-24. Qualification through THE ANNUAL YOUTH ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS is administered at www.youthusa.org.
The American Mentor Wire Service 
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