What I Have Learned

     I have learned some amazing things from New Pathways for Youth.

• I have learned that all youth can be reached, but you must show your vulnerable side before you can expect the same in return. 
• I have learned that I am not "Mrs. Fix it"; not everything needs to be fixed, sometimes you have to let someone experience the outcomes of their decisions before they "get it". 
• I have learned that kids, no matter their education or socioeconomic class, are extraordinarily intelligent. Seriously, they are crazy smart. 
• I have learned that coaching does not mean controlling, it means sharing your guidance and showing understanding. 
• I have learned that I cannot forget that I have made really REALLY dumb decisions, and there is no need to place judgment. We should all share those times with our youth, and let them know that it is okay to make crazy decisions, but it is more important to learn from our choices. 
• I have learned that we have so much to learn from complete strangers, and people that we did not expect to learn something from. I encourage everyone to try and learn something from someone least expected. 

     During the beginning of my quest, I had a few goals: becoming a better leader, gaining an understanding of the challenges that this non-profit organization faces, and establishing the foundation of a life-long bond with my youth. Thus far, I think that I am a must better leader than when I started out, but this will be a continuous process for many years to come. One of the major things that this organization faces is funding. This is an area where I would like to gain more skills in, and hopefully conquer. Lastly, Shea moved right before our 1 year mark together. We still keep in contact from time- to- time, and she is still growing and prospering. I thoroughly enjoyed our time together, while it lasted.