TOLEDO, Ohio — "I am blessed to have touched over 5,000 lives throughout my career," said Junction Coalition Executive Director, Alicia Smith.
The Junction Coalition has been working hard to keep kids in the central Toledo Junction neighborhood off the street and give them a leg up on life.
Smith says she uses her decades of experience as a kindergarten teacher and professor to help guide today's young women.
"We've got young women who desire to be financial advisors, and it's our jobs to help them to do that. We have young mothers who desire to be great moms," said Smith. "There's no shame in being who you are, but it's a shame on us if we don't help them get there."
Its all part of Smith's work helping kids prepare for jobs and opportunities. But it's more than just that.
"A mentor is someone who walks them through life, helps them make good decisions, and does not allow them to make excuses. There are no excuses. You keep doing until you finish," said Smith.
Smith says all too often kids will fall into dangerous lifestyles on the street, but with the proper guidance, young woman in the program have a better chance at a well-balanced and successful life.
"It makes me feel loved and cared for. The Junction, it's like it has an open, it opens their arms to all people. And it just makes everybody feel wanted and loved and cared for," said one young woman in the Junction 419 program.
Foster parents like Lakeysha Knox has now sent 10 different kids to work with Smith. She says the results speak for themselves.
"Sometimes I do get overwhelmed being a parent and a foster parent, but Miss Alicia does have my back. She does give me a break and she also gives me support for the kids," said Knox.
But you don't need to take Knox's word for it. The kids themselves are blown away.
"Ms. Alicia has helped me with problems that I had in the past. She's helped me find self-esteem and self-love and helped me be caring to others and not only myself and not be selfish and care about other people and care about the community," said the young woman taking part in the program.
Smith says it warms her heart that she is able to help all of the young people.
"It's not about what you say to a young person. It's about what you do with that young person. And that impact is changing their lives on a daily basis," said Smith.
You can click here for more information, to sign up your kids for the program, or to make a donation.
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