I believe that it takes a village to raise every child. Sometimes kids are short of a few people in their village. I was one of those kids. EOYDC helped take the place of some of those people I was missing in my life. I’ve been attending here since I was seven and now I am sixteen years old. The giving started as soon as I walked in the door. When I walked in, I remember feeling scared. I was scared because I am not an individual that people seem to like, so I was worried that I wouldn’t make any new friends. As I continued to come, my fears of rejection slowly faded away. I felt as if I knew I had a place to go to have fun and be myself. Now I was attending EOYDC on a regular basis. I even came in the summer for the summer programs. Now that’s when I was inspired. My youth leaders were the coolest people. I used to tell myself, “I want to work here one day”. My wish came true. In the summer of 2005, I became a Youth Leader. This changed me for the better because I had to learn to work with other people and learn to become a role model. Then God blessed me again. I got hired as a Homework Tutor during the regular school year! Overall, EOYDC has been a part of my village. They have given me a lot. One of the most important things that they have helped me with is confidence. I don’t worry if people won’t like me, because I know that I am a good person. The EOYDC has given me an opportunity to lead our future. Since I’ve been working with kids it makes me respect myself more because I have to watch myself for my kids. Yes, I meant to say "my kids", because I belong to those kids and I am a part of their village. I tutor because the EOYDC has watered the seed that my parents planted. Now it’s time for me to return the favor by watering their many beautiful seeds. Terina Cooper, Homework Tutor