Staff
Taraneshia Shivers, Program Assistant
Taraneshia started in our Real Talk program as a tenth grader at Banneker where she learned how to avoid risky behaviors and make healthy choices about her body. The following year, she became a Reef House Teen Center participant and her journey has been a positive one ever since. Although her studies weren't a major problem for her, Taraneshia states that she faced challenges of maintaining focus and communicating; primarily, watching her tone and responses to others. By being at the Teen Center, the staff served as her mentors and "second family", while providing her with the tools she needed for her own personal and academic growth. "With their help, I was able to be more successful in high school, which in turn has helped me with my college classes."
Taraneshia is now a sophomore at Georgia State University and currently employed at Future Foundation as a Program Assistant. She credits the Teen Center for helping her become more aware of her surroundings and more sensitive to the needs of others and their well-being, especially during one-on-one communication. Taraneshia's mother is also an active volunteer at Future Foundation and a regular participant in our parenting workshops.
Taraneshia and her mom are the perfect example of how Future Foundation's holistic community based approach aligns education, health, family engagement activities and in school program services to foster a second family culture that supports the healthy development of youth into strong and self-sustainable adults. At Future Foundation, we understand that when this vision is realized, the cycle of generational poverty is broken and youth are forever empowered.
From high school sophomore and Teen Center attendee to college sophomore and Future Foundation employee, Taraneshia has made great strides towards success. She's now in the position to pass on some of the lessons she's learned along to the way to other promising youth. It's like the gift that keeps on giving and Future Foundation is so proud of Taraneshia.