Information: www.motherlessdaughtersfoundation.org.
Coming from all walks of life and professions, the Women of Influence of The Historic District of College Park felt there was a need for the community’s young ladies as they faced issues such as low self- esteem, dropout rates and teen pregnancy.
They are hair industry professionals, lawyers, small business owners — all who, “wanted to make a difference one by one. We believe it only takes one leader who believes in herself to help create change,” said President and Executive Director Rassalyn Willis. She is also the owner of Xclusive Hair Studio and Spa.
These women founded The Motherless Daughters Foundation, an organization that provides tools to help girls ages nine to 15 make positive choices, achieve academic success and break the cycle of poverty.
“We cater to young ladies who have lost their mother as well as those who seek an opportunity to have a fulfilling relationship with a positive female role model,” added Willis. Girls may remain in the program until they’re 18 years old.
On Friday, the foundation will hold its third annual gala and fundraiser themed Soaring to Greater Heights featuring community leaders such as Riverdale Mayor Dr. Evelyn Wynn-Dixon and Atlanta First Lady Sarah-Elizabeth Reed.
The money raised at this gala with go towards the mentorship programs and transportation so it remains free of cost to the young ladies. Some of the programs include Priceless University, through Fulton County’s Office of Children and Youth, which is a college-prep program that focuses on self-enrichment and self-development. Future Olympians Fitness is an early intervention fitness and nutrition program that fosters physical activity and healthy lifestyles; and the mentoring program is a one-to-one mentoring program that matches female community volunteers with a young lady of MD to provide guidance, goals and personal support.
De’mai Williams, 16, is just one of the many young women who has benefitted from MDF.
“I do not have a mother to go to every day with my problems and I have to learn how to use that to tell others that life can be better,” said Williams.
Involved with the programs for three years, De’mai said she has been able to learn how to become a young outstanding woman and a leader, to speak up for herself in a well-mannered way and to become a great youth leader among her friends.
“I hope to one day become a mentor for Motherless Daughters,” she added.
MDF started with the passion of a community helping its youngest citizens, and Willis encourages it to continue being involved. People can give back by becoming mentors, provide career development and counseling, and donate clothing and personal items.
“Our main goal is to continue to produce well-balanced successful leaders of our communities, nation and world where these young ladies will return and actually give back to our youth of generations to come,” said Willis. “We believe that we are creating tomorrow’s ladies of influence.”
In other news: The Office Depot Foundation donated 6,000 backpacks to Atlanta-area children on July 20 at the OfficeMax store on Cobb Parkway in Atlanta. The donation event is part of the foundation's National Backpack Program, which is now in its 15th year and has donated 3.7 million backpacks around the world since 2001.
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