It is hard to believe that on Sat., May 24, Sherrie, my niece who lives with me will be graduating from Homeschool. I look back at the obstacles she has overcome—parents’ divorce, living with her grandmother and me, and dyslexia. I know that prayers and God’s amazing grace have helped her become the young woman she is today. Part of those prayers was answered by God leading her to be part of the Mission’s Summer Youth Leadership Camp over the past two summers…

It is hard to believe that on Sat., May 24, Sherrie, my niece who lives with me will be graduating from Homeschool. I look back at the obstacles she has overcome—parents’ divorce, living with her grandmother and me, and dyslexia. I know that prayers and God’s amazing grace have helped her become the young woman she is today. Part of those prayers was answered by God leading her to be part of the Mission’s Summer Youth Leadership Camp over the past two summers.

This program, sponsored in part by Americans Helping Americans^®, has helped her in several ways–giving her an opportunity to work with various types of people in different types of working situations as well as helping her understand that not everyone has all the same values and yet we can learn to deal with them in a Godly manner.

As part of that Summer Youth Leadership Camp, she has learned leadership skills, like how to set goals, and she gained confidence in her abilities. Her current dream is to hone her culinary skills by finishing the ProStart Class at the McDowell County Technology Center as well as take a Catering Class on-line and someday own her own restaurant. Recently, Sherrie was given the opportunity to cater a Mission Board of Directors meeting which has led to even more events. She and a friend from school are starting their own catering company with hope to build a future in the food service industry.

-Written by the Aunt of an Americans Helping Americans summer youth program participant