On a corner lot in south midtown sits an unremarkable home with no landscaping and few amenities. A fixer-upper might best describe the outer facade, but the scene inside reveals something quite the opposite—two generations of women, both making a difference in the lives of the other.
Five smiling, animated teenagers sit on the floor around a wobbly coffee table piled high with sandwich wraps and cold drinks. Three mentors-turned-friends pepper them with questions about their recent experience together. The occasion is a celebration to mark the completion of the first book of a life-skills program for the residence of Simone’s Home, a residential home for teen girls who have “aged out” of the foster care system, a term to describe those who are unlikely, because of their age, to be be placed in an adoptive or foster home. Marlisha, Shunda, Jacinda, Priscilla and Raven poke fun and giggle at the mentors, at times uncontrollably, as they recall the highlights of the four month course led my Melissa Farrar, Kendra Douglas and Teresa Newton-Terres. Hands down, the slumber party ranked first place among all members of the group. Teresa seems quite proud of her ability to dance the “Stanky Leg” but the girls suggest a bit more practice and the right music might be in order.
When asked to share what they learned from the course, the girls become more thoughtful.
Raven: I think we’ve learned how to communicate better with each other. I especially liked Ms Melissa’s lesson on conflict resolution. That was helpful, and we’re starting to use it around here with each other.
Marlisha: I liked the first lesson on self improvement. I really do want to improve myself and I’m trying!
Shunda, Priscilla’s younger sister who came to Simone’s Home midway through the course: I just wish I’d been here for the whole course –and especially the slumber party! Can we have another one?
Jacinda, most recent addition to Simone’s Home: I wish I’d said that. Ditto, what Shunda said. I feel like I really missed out by coming here when I did.
Priscilla: I liked the way Ms Melissa and Ms Kendra used games to help us remember certain things. That really helped me get the lessons, and it made it fun!
Stephanie Johnson, founder and director of Simone’s Home, when asked what she had learned, placed a poignant exclamation point on the discussion saying, “I learned that I am not alone. I now know that if I were gone tomorrow, there would be others to take care of you girls, to love on you and be a member of your team. That means so much. Thank you!”
The mutual respect and trust is obvious as Melissa, Kendra and Teresa, all recent graduates of Woman on a Mission, shared their responses to the questions. All expressed their appreciation for what the teens had taught them during their time together, for their willingness to accept them into their home and share their lives with them. Each were enriched by the experience.
When Melissa asked the girls what they thought about inviting some guests to come and speak on various topics, Raven responded that that would be okay, provided they didn’t come every week. “We don’t want to have to share you with anyone else too much!” “Well,” replied Melissa, “We’re going to be around awhile; just because we’re finished with one book, doesn’t mean we’re done here. Hey, you can’t get rid of us that easy.”
