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One year in a teenage girl’s life can bring a lifetime of changes. Village of Truth, Inc. of Los Angeles County is working to make sure that those changes are positive. Founder and Executive Director, Kiana Shaw is a hands-on mentor armed with real world advice, a cell phone and texting thumbs to help navigate the drama teenage girls can bring.
“We are a nonprofit organization that values the presence of strong, ambitious women in society,” said Shaw. ”Our mission is to encourage the development of inner-city teen girls through providing the resources needed to obtain financial stability, ensure mental growth, enhance physical health, attain emotional strength and receive professional guidance.”
The one year program is geared to teaching young ladies how to:
- Establish and use credit responsibly
- Budget
- Set and reach goals
- Live healthy and drug-free lifestyles
- Cope with past hurts
- Manage future disappointments
Shaw believes that those skills are the foundation of Village of Truth, Inc. and a self-sufficient life. “The young ladies of greater Los Angeles County are facing a difficult task ahead,” said Shaw. “They are faced with drugs, gang violence, prostitution, and a lack of efficient sex education that focus on prevention of STD’s and pregnancy. Add this to drug dealers on their campus, single-parent homes, foster care, violence, sexual and mental abuse, and you will understand why so many of these girls see no hope in themselves.”
Shaw meets with each group of girls a few times per week. “We meet in schools, churches, and sometimes even my own house,” said Shaw. “Sometimes, I only have one shot to get in with a girl and give her as much information as I can in this moment because I may not see her again. You just don’t know what will happen next week with some of these ladies. My job is to affect (appeal to their emotions) and effect (change their lives) them as fast as possible. They have to know you care right away.”
“I want the girls to take responsibility for their lives and the choices they make. I tell them all the time, ‘we all have choices and all of our choices have consequences’. Positive choices bring consequence just like negative ones do. I try to stress that to them in every area of life not matter how complex or simple. Teaching them to be dressed by7amevery morning helps them be prepared for whatever opportunities the day will bring is a small but important concept.” Shaw said. “I’ll show up at their house at 7:30 am and only those who are ready and dressed get to go with me. Sometimes, we go and have breakfast on the beach. Other times, I will take them to do something they have been wanting to do or to meet with someone in the career they want have. It’s all about being ready to roll. You never know when life is going to give you an opportunity.
I do a radio show on Blogtalk Radio teaching parents and teens how to communicate. We had a couple of girls who want to be rappers,” Shaw said. “They started a rap one day, and I told them if they could finish it and practice it I would use it as a jingle on the show. They did a good job and we recorded it in a studio. It was a great opportunity to show them how hard work pays off, and what it takes to get something done.”
Shaw believes that being ready takes a plan, and she is equipping young ladies with the skills to achieve their plans in life. “A young woman will want to be a model but have no idea what kind of work goes on behind the scenes. Those women work hard to achieve their dreams. Sometimes they think success starts at 40. I teach a class called “Meeting with Success” where I introduce them to women 18 – 40 who are already successful and are willing to tell them about the hardships of getting to where they are.
So far, over 100 young ladies have been impact throughVillageofTruth, Inc. “It’s about helping them focus their goals and provide them with fundamental tools to go after their dreams. ,” said Shaw. “Each dream can be a triumphant reality by simply showing them there is more to life than what they see and where they live and each of their dreams can come true with hard work and perseverance.
Shaw was laid off in February of last year and has kept Village of Truth, Inc. going with generous donations and by volunteering her time. “I keep putting out applications, but I think this is where God wants me right now,” Shaw said. Eventually she hopes to have a Village of Truth, Inc. program in every major city.
Learn More about the Village of Truth or find ways to get involved or donate to the cause by visiting http://www.villageoftruth.org
Listen to The ShawNuff Radio show http://www.blogtalkradio.com/callywood/2012/04/10/mystery-mix-mondays
Kiana Shaw did GOOD today
Great job Kiana! So proud of you and VOT!
Thank you so much Aprille! I must say a lot of what I do (on the business side of this) is because of what I learned from you and ShalenaDiva and the Passion Academy course you both taught. Blessings to you on the next class http://www.shalenadiva.com/passionacademy
Vroooooooooooooommmmm!!!!!
Kiana Shaw you are truly a God-send to the community that embraces young ladies. I am grateful to know someone who truly DOES something instead of just TALKING about the issues with young ladies. God is truly using you as a saving grace for these young ladies. The seeds you are planting are going to blossom into something really special and God will get ALL of the glory for your diligence in using the gifts He gave you. GO Jesus!!! GO Kiana!!! GO Village of Truth!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you so much Cherrie! Our monthly meetings make it easy for me to give to the girls because I’m just giving them what you all give to me <3
kiana ive been looking for you !!!
I’m here Brenyel Barker!!!! Call me! My number is the same! 213-324-3931
Great Job Kiana! You’re truly an inspiration…Congratulations on where you are now and where you are headed. Love you!
You are and all some young lady. I am so impress with the article and what you are doing for those teenage ladies. Keep up the good work. We need more people like you that doing positive things for young people
Thank you Mr. Watson. Not only for your words but for your support. People like you make the “workload” a little easier.
VVVVRRRROOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
VVVRRRRRRROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Marvelous accomplishment for you and your girls Kiana. I’m so proud to be a Sister Passion Academy Graduate along with you. Your spirit and dedication is such a blessing to all you will reach and teach.
VVVVRRRRRRRRRRROOOOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMMM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It is so impressive to see how far this organization has come and grown into. I am so proud to be a part of this cause and I can’t wait to see what the upcoming years will bring. I’m looking forward to seeing more of your accomplishments and milestones being achieved! Congratulations!
Thanks Jen! And thanks for sticking it out with me all these years!
I am so proud of you. I love your passion, your spirit, your determination. I LOVE YOU! God gave you the vision and you are walking with purpose. Congratulations
Thanks Mommy! Your words mean the most because I know you see me day in and day out with my highs and lows. Thank you for praying me through!
Kiana you are such an amazing young woman that is doing amazing things for a lot of other young women I am proud and feel very blessed to call you my friend and sister.
Thanks Uyonna! I appreciate your support!
The Village Of Truth program is a vital and great program that is needed within our community. Kiana Shaw is a great leader and mentor to these teen in the transition to becoming young women. I am so proud of her as one of her mentors and that she is taking what she has and is learning in her life and passing it on to the next generation of young women. Momma “D” is so proud of you girl!!!!!!!! Keep planting those seeds into these teens lives and walking in your PURPOSE.
*HUGS* <3
You are the best example of having a dream come true. Thanks for staying the course. Love ya
I am soooo proud of you, Kiana!!!! You are changing the lives of so many!!!
Congrats Kiana. I have never met anyone as dedicated to a beautiful cause, as I have you! You are a mother to all of these girls, who just want to live! You have taken them under your wings, have allowed them to see that “I am someone special,” and sometimes that’s all we need to progress in life. I commend you! I see great things happening with your organization! You are the Truth
Thanks Ms. Tinsley
It is so great to see someone helping the community to the degree that you are. Congratulations!
Thank you Angela! Your opinion means a lot to me.
Kiana, you are amazing. You are giving hope to a community where others has giving up. May your path be blessed and you are giving the strength, good health and peace of mind to continue on your journey.
Wow! Thanks Ebone *HUGS*
Kiana, you are a hope and inspiration to young women who may not have had anyone else invest into them. You are helping to raise a generation of empowered, ambitious, whole women who will change the world because of the seeds you and VOT have planted into their lives. Keep doing a GOOD JOB!
I am so proud of you in the way that you have grown into a Phenominal Wowman. Your vision is remarkable and the help that you are giving these young ladies is priceless. God has truly placed you where you need to be and guiding you where you need to go. Love you.
You are such a great person and role model. Truly inspirational work you do especially in the lives of our young people. Congrats!
Awe! Thanks Uncle Chuckie! Your support for me and Village of Truth, Inc. has been amazing. From being a part of career day to mentoring my girls through a career choice, to just being honest with them about the thoughts of men. I APPRECIATE YOU!
Congratulations Kiana! This is a great article. I’m so thankful we met at Spark & Hustle. I can’t wait to get involved with your organization! You are truly making a difference in these young girls lives…and I want to help : )
Shawndrell!!!! Thank you so much and we would LOVE to have your company, http://www.fatgirlapps.com/ working with us!!!! We could use your services for so many projects we have going. Let’s talk soon.
God is using you to do some amazing things and touching lives all around you. Thank you for all that you do and all the lives you touch. This is simply amazing.
Thank you Leah. You firing me was the start of this taking off. Lol. I love you for making the hard decision.
I’m so proud of you! Keep doing what you are doing, we need you!!!
Thank you Kamilah!!! I will be here.
Congratulations Sis!!! I’m so proud of you. Keep doing what God called for you to do!! God is using you in so many ways!! Love ya
Thank you so much Sis!