Great leaders and innovators help create a world in which we dare to dream big, find out ways to help our neighbor and change life as we know it. Many of the greatest organizations started with a simple goal or vision and were executed by a leader that stood firm on their beliefs, that others trusted them enough to believe in those same goals. “Leader are their organizations’ ambassadors of shared values”( ). We have learned during this course that an effective and consistent leader will set the tone for the way the organization functions. It is a personal belief of mine, to passionately serve those you seek to help a leader must empathize and identify with the organizations vision.
The organization that I have chosen to create is called “Love Doesn’t Hurt”. This organization was created to assist young mothers and pregnant young mothers from the age’s fifteen until twenty-two. “Young women who give birth while attending a community college are 65 percent less likely to complete their degree than women who do not have children during that time”(NCSL, 2010).The young women that will benefit from the success of this program are from lower middle class or below poverty level. Many of them will be at risk for not completing their education and lack a support system. The graduation numbers in 2016 are alarming and the cycle of poverty is becoming more difficult to break. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, “Only 40 percent of teen mothers finish high school and of that 40 percent, fewer than 2 percent finish college by age 30” (NCSL, 2010). I was not a teen mother but I was a young terrified mother at the age of 22 years old. I had a year and half left to complete my undergraduate. I know firsthand, how vital a positive family support group is in completing your educational aspirations. “People expect their leaders to speak out on matters of values and conscience. But to speak out, you have to know what to speak about. To stand up for your beliefs, you have to know the beliefs you stand for. To walk the talk, you have to talk the walk. To do what you say, you have to know what you want to say. To earn and sustain personal credibility, you must first be able to clearly articulate deeply held beliefs”().
This organization will provide services such as free health screenings, high school diploma completion courses, college application assistants, parenting courses, future family planning course, child-care planning, and entrepreneur brainstorming sessions, employment assistant courses, mentorship programs, self-esteem encouragement, and support groups. We will provide donations of clothing, baby products, school supplies and an accessible food pantry. Additionally we would provide 30 temporary housing units for the young women facing homelessness due to pregnancy or possible endangerment of their children under 4 years of age. A key component of this organization is the mentoring program with local professional encouraging women. In hopes of building a trusting relationship that will extended beyond the organization to create a lasting source of encouragement and networking opportunity for future business endeavors. “Leader role models are local”( ).
The core values of “Love Doesn’t Hurt” are vital to the success of this program and will create the atmosphere for success for the young women and their children. These values are Community, Education, Empowerment, Resilience, Faith, and Trustworthy. Community because through our community we can change and break the cycle of poverty and hardships innocent children may endure because the lack of resources surrounding their births. Community cares for one another by creative more opportunities for those once disadvantaged. Education is the key to the future for these young mothers and their children. Educational awareness will provide the proper tools to prevent unwanted pregnancies and provide more economic stability to provide for their families.
Empowerment our employees, volunteers and participants will take the initiative to give each day the very best effort they can. We will provide encouraging words, advice or information on a consistent bases. Resilience must be shown regularly, defeat will not overcome progress that is to come. Our staff must model resilience during difficult times to provide the best care possible to our participants. Faith in a power greater than our own. Faith in knowing God does not make mistakes and that everything you’ve gone through is preparing your family for greatness. Our staff will value and promote healthy, respectful faith building relationships. Lastly we must be trustworthy, many of the young women are coming to our organization from places of brokenness. They must be able to trust us to guide them on a better path in life and our ability to make sound decisions. Staff, volunteers and participant alike will provide a non-judgmental environment and a safe haven. These values are very important because together they create an idea environment to inspire growth and promote positive change.
The vision statement is to remove the cycle of defeat and poverty associated with being a young parent by providing resources to achieve sustainable greatness. Our potential is far greater than our obstacles.