S eek to recognize the good in others .
P romote positive affirmation.
E ncourage people to pursue life-long dreams and goals.
A cknowledge the potential, talents, and academic abilities in the lives of people
K nit people in the community together.
L end support to individuals who need tutoring in academics.
I nstill Godly Principles and Wisdom.
F oster diversity, and intergenerational and personal interactions .
E steem individuals by affirming their self-worth, making them feel understood and appreciated.
Speak Life Graciously Inc. is a Non-profit Organization that creates music melodies, writes inspiring literature for children, mentors youth who are “at risk,” and honors adults for their acts of kindness and generous contributions to the community.
The mission of Speak Life Graciously Inc. is to inspire people to grow academically, spiritually, emotional and socially. The ways in which I plan to execute offering hope, encouragement, and educational guidance to individuals as they pursue life-long goals are four-fold. First is to create inspiring literature for children; the second by mentoring youth who are “at risk,” third, honoring adults for their acts of kindness and generous contribution to the community, and last, create and record songs of faith and inspiration.
My plan is to produce children’s books that will address pertinent themes, issues, and problems kids are often confronted with while growing up. The story line for these books will focus on conveying the needs, desires, and aspirations of children. Additionally, each story line will highlight specific academic skills children should learn.
My primary hope in creating children books is to invite individuals of all ages, nationality, and race to gain experience looking through the lens of a child by using fiction to gain a deeper understanding of the level of support children require from their peers and adults in order for them to function successfully in the 21st century. I have written my first book. It is called “Mighty Hopeful”. This book depicts the life of a seven year old boy who welcomes turning one year older, but then he is suddenly faced with the bittersweet ordeal of losing three teeth. The academic skills that are emphasized in this book are the “ight” words (light, mighty, bright etc., synonyms, antonyms, and figurative language-(Simile, Oxymoron, Idioms, and Hyperbole .etc.). I would like for kids to grasp a better understanding of mastering the English language, become proficient writers and communicators. I want children to feel proud of their writing and speaking abilities.
Presently, I am researching and corresponding with specific publishing companies to discover which publishing package will be best for me to purchase. By the end of May, I will decide on which publishing company to go with. The book will be available to purchase in stores as well as on line. The timeline for the release of the book will be determined upon signing a contract with a publishing company.
The second goal is mentoring youth who are at “risk”. As an educator, I am familiar with working with students who require additional academic support in reading and mathematics. A student who is at “risk” is one who struggles in a particular area or areas. These struggles present adverse effect on the student’s performance. A variety of reasons can contribute to why a student may become at “risk”, such as low test scores, poor attendance, discipline issues, structure at home, socioeconomic status, and others. My goal is to develop an after school program where I can provide tutoring to at “risk” youth in the areas of reading, math, and career development. The vehicle in which I plan to service these individuals will be by using the “Wilson Reading Program and 1:1 Digital Learning Initiatives. The Wilson Reading program is a Research-based reading and writing program. This program teaches students structure of words, spelling, phonics, and how to decode words. 1:1 Digital Learning Initiatives offer students a technology-rich environment.
The third area of interest that I would like to focus on in this ministry will be to recognize and honor people in the community for their Acts of Kindness and Generous Contribution to the Community. The concept of honoring people in the community is supported by the scriptures. “God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have ministered to the saints and minister” (Hebrews 6:9). We plan to execute this and remind honorees that God recognizes the great work that they have been accomplishing for Him. In spite of the fact that we are living in a time where men can be selfish, prideful, arrogant and boastful of themselves, God’s Word continues to be performed in the lives of His people who can hear the heart of His cry. God’s message of hope provokes us to “Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor” (Romans 12:10). Speak Life Graciously, will delight in displaying God’s Agape (Selfless Love) upon those who are so deserving of unconditional and limitless recognition.
The fourth goal is to create a repertoire of Christian music and inspirational CD’s declaring a message of hope and faith in the lives of people. I desire to produce songs of melodies that will speak of Jesus Christ’s Agape love, divine power, and great destiny He has for Christians who would dare to follow Him. One of my newest creations is called, “I Got It Done!” This song inspires people how to take one step at a time while pursuing their God given dreams. Also, the lyrics to the song encourage people to avoid living a life of mediocrity, procrastination, boredom, and unfruitfulness. Presently, “I Got It Done” can be viewed on YouTube.com, entitled,” Miss Jennifer Harris 2″.
In additional to the four ways this ministry intends on inspiring others, there is yet one other area of interest that I would like to establish as a long term goal in helping revitalizing Pastors and Minister’ Wives. God has placed a burden in my heart for these individuals. Fulfilling the call of a pastor’s wife or minister’s wife has many rewards as well as challenges. Moreover, operating in the role of a pastor’s wife or minister’s wife is not an easy task to maintain. I would like to host a 3-day conference for the women who serve in these capacities. Despite the fact that Pastors’ wives and ministers’ wives have many challenges to deal with, there are very few safe and healthy Christian environments where they can be ministered to on a Spiritual and personal level, themselves. This retreat would offer Pastors and Minister’s Wives an opportunity to obtain rest, physical and spiritual renewal, biblical teachings and counseling within a specific time frame.