How Lives Are Changing
Dwight Eskew Wins 2010 Alumnus Achievement Award
Dwight Eskew received the Youth At Heart (YAH) Alumnus Achievement Award at the 2010 Annual YAH Partners' Dinner. Eskew participated in the YAH Program (formerly Destination Discovery) in the early 90's during which he attended weekly character training and tutoring. He also served as a faithful teen volunteer in the Mohawk Manor Community Center and at summer camp.
Today, Eskew is very ambitious. His goal is to create a business conglomerate that maximizes current and future financial opportunities and resources to help create wealth and jobs in underserved communities. He seems to be well on his way, having already established a home repair and remodeling service—EGD Painting Services—while at the same time serving as the Office Administrator of the Simon Estes Educational Foundation. Eskew credits YAH for helping him gain his drive to succeed. He has fond memories of activities in which he participated that helped him learn how to “think outside of the box” to achieve his goals.
One of Eskew’s goals was to earn a masters degree which he achieved in 2009—a Masters of Business Administration from Oklahoma State University. He previously earned a bachelor’s degree from Morehouse College, and completed the Dale Carnegie Leadership Training Course. Eskew is also very active in the community as a member of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, and a volunteer with Big Brothers and Sisters of Green Country and the Boy Scouts of America.
Teen Climbs to Top: Becomes Eagle Scout
This year one of Tony’s dreams came true—he reached the pinnacle of scouting, by becoming an Eagle Scout. At his Eagle Scout ceremony, Tony learned that he achieved a feat that only 2 percent of boys who enter scouting ever accomplish. Many of Tony’s family members and friends gathered at the Mohawk community center to watch him receive his new rank. On hand were mentors and friends from the Boy Scouts, Youth At Heart, Contact Church, First United Methodist and Boston Avenue United Methodist.
Youth Learn Sportsmanship and Character Lessons in Sports Program
Bats are cracking, and golf balls soaring as YAH children and teens take part in T-ball, and golf in the spring sports program. Youth have been learning more than the fundamentals of these games. They have been learning the importance of fair play, commitment, and getting along with others. Children from nine apartment sites are taking part in T-Ball. For golf, YAH is partnering with First Tee of Tulsa which has run a first-class golf program for city youth for nine years.
Teens Close Look at Professional Auto Racing
Lynn Baxter of Lynn Baxter Studios invited four YAH teens to experience professional auto racing at the Hallett Raceway. Eyes bulged as the youth
watched the cars zoom around the track. The teens’ greatest thrill was getting to sit in the cars once parked. Lynn has invited the teens back to the track to participate in a film project her studio is doing, during which they will learn the ends and outs of production. She also plans to teach the youth a number of life skills along the way.
For more information see Tulsa People Magazine, May 2010 issue, "Racing for Life" article, page 16 or visit lynnbaxterstudios.com.
Tutoring is Helping Debbie Shomaker Realize Her Dream
Debbie Shomaker has been a straight A student for three years. Debbie and her mother, Kristina Sigler, attribute much of her success to the YAH tutoring program.
Debbie is currently taking advanced placement classes at the Dove Science Academy because of high reading level. Last year she graduated from Jackson Elementary with the highest reading level in the school.
Debbie’s goal is to become a pediatrician because she wants to help people. She hopes to attend either Yale, Harvard or California State University to prepare for her dream career. Kristina said she appreciates how YAH has helped Debbie build self confidence, and “is helping her blossom into a young woman.”
Teens Have Life-Changing Experience on Mission Trip
Kimani Williams and Victoria Fowler of Youth At Heart joined Asbury teens on a life-changing mission trip to Red Bird Kentucky over Spring Break. The teens enjoyed recounting their experience recently, expressing their gratitude to Asbury United Methodist Church for all that they learned and for making the trip possible.Kimani Williams—During the Mission Trip to Kentucky, Victoria and I had a lot of fun. This trip changed my life and made me a better person. It showed me that teenagers can change the world. It also showed me that I can do anything I put my mind to do.
My work team was lucky to work on the home of Mrs. Eva Caldwell and her husband, Sam. Mr. and Mrs. Caldwell and their dog, Ginger, were so exited to have us there. Sam was a little silent at first, but we learned a lot from him. Our job was to put some linoleum on the living room and hall floors, and to fix the bathroom ceiling. We had to use saws, nails, hammers and a broom. I had never used any of these tools before, except for the broom. Victoria Fowler—The Mission trip to Kentucky has helped me in so many different ways. It has given me a new perspective on my life. I am now able to communicate with God better, and feel better about meeting new friends and pursuing all of my goals. The part that I liked the most was spending time with the wonderful family we helped. They greeted us every time we came to see them. Ms. Eva (the homeowner) told us we could have anything we wanted in the house. It was amazing because even though she didn’t have much, she offered what she did have to us. I am very glad that I got a chance to go on this marvelous trip and help someone in need. I would definitely like to thank Asbury for letting me come on this trip, and would definitely love to come again.
Shamia Jackson Receives Alumnus Achievement Award 
Youth At Heart (YAH) presented Shamia Jackson the 2009 Alumnus Achievement Award. Jackson recently graduated from Langston University where she received a Bachelor of Arts degree in broadcast journalism, and is now working for Dell Computers in Oklahoma City, OK. Jackson participated in YAH for 10 years at the Seminole Hills Apartments. While at Langston, Jackson served as an editor and senior staff writer for the Langston University Gazette Newspaper, a producer for Langston University Television and as an intern with KOCO News, Channel 5. Jackson credited YAH with planting within her the dream of working in communications when at 13, she helped anchor a YAH teen radio broadcast over radio station 1340 AM.Pictured above with Jackson (on the right) is Calvin Mitchell, the 2008 recipient of the YAH Alumnus Achievement Award. Mitchell spent 8 years in YAH. He s earned a Masters Degree in accounting, and works as an accountant with Habitat for Humanity.
Teresa Mitchell Gives Back to Youth At Heart
Teresa Mitchell completed a college internship with Youth At Heart (YAH) this semester. What makes this special is that Mitchell completed her social work assignment helping kids for YAH at the same apartment complex where she participated as a youth. Mitchell said the YAH life skills she learned at the Mohawk Manor Apartments taught her a great deal about trust and what it takes to be a good leader. She also said the tutoring she received at Morning Star Baptist Church helped her greatly, especially in Math and English. Obviously the tutoring paid off as Mitchell graduated from the Tulsa Community College this year with an associate’s degree in Applied Sciences. She will continue studying at Northeastern A&M College in Miami, OK to obtain a bachelors degree in Children and Family Services.