“What choice can you make today that will have a positive impact on your life?” 

That was just one of the leading questions Najiva Timothee with the Girls Dig Deeper Initiative (GDDI) – one of our Macon Violence Prevention (MVP) partners – posed to a group of teenagers at a meeting of the Middle Georgia Regional Library’s Teen Advisory Board. She is meeting with the Board every fourth Saturday of the month to discuss topics related to Leadership Values, and this month’s topic was ‘choices.’ The sessions are open to any teen ages 13-17, and the next session on April 27 will focus on ‘character.’ 

“The girls were engaged and given the opportunity to share their experiences, and how they handle everyday situations based on the topic of the lesson,” said Ms. Timothee. 

“They also learned and understood the benefit and the concept that choice is a gift they have.” 

“We feel that leadership training is fundamental to providing the access to information and launch pad for our young talent,” says Jennifer Lautzenheiser, Middle Georgia Regional Library Director. “Our Library is here to improve the lives of our community, connecting them with our services, materials, and programs. We want everyone to have the tools they need to be successful.” 

“It’s very important to become leaders in our community, especially for young women,” Ms. Timothee told the assembled teens.   

“We need to make the best decision for ourselves and not worry what others will think [of us],” said Stella Blankenship, a 7th grade student at Miller Middle School.

“[Teens] should focus on what they can control and not everything around them,” said JaNyla Holston, a 10th grade student from Northeast High School. 

The group discussed the benefits of being able to make choices in their lives. That includes giving them freedom, they can change the direction of their lives, it gives them the power to reach their potential, they can take control of their life, and it gives them the power to make life better.  

“There are things you can and can’t control in your life, and while you can’t control the mistakes of your past, you can control what you learn from those mistakes and how you move forward,” Ms. Timothee told them. “The choices you make in life, make you.” 

From there, she asked the teens about their own experiences with making choices. The students talked about meeting new people at events and school, applying for Central High’s IB program, thinking about which college they want to attend, and exploring different career fields to determine their path forward. Nadia Thomas, an 11th grade student at the VIP Academy and member of the Girls Dig Deeper Initiative, congratulated them on thinking through those issues and encouraged them to have a relationship with their teachers and counselors to help them find their best path.  

“In high school and college, surround yourself with people who have the same mindset as you do, that want to be as successful as you do,” Thomas told them. 

GDDI has received $15,500 in grant funding from Macon Violence Prevention. In the first round of funding, they received $5,500 and in the second round this year, they received $10,000 to offer leadership development programs designed to help young girls overcome barriers such as childhood poverty, chronic absenteeism, poor academic achievement, disability, adverse childhood experiences and community violence.

About Girls Dig Deeper Initiative
Girls Dig Deeper Initiative is a girls group mentoring and youth development program in Central Georgia which serve youth in schools and communities, and incarcerated youth ages 13-17. They provide 1:1, group, and a team model mentoring approach within the organization.

Their mission is to foster guidance, support, and encouragement to all youth girls to dig deep within themselves to access their inner potential and expand their capacity to be a positive influence to themselves and others.

Girls Dig Deeper Initiative launched its leadership development program, The Winners’ Mindset, in January to teach youth girls to rise up and win regardless of the challenges they face.

About the Macon Violence Prevention Program
Macon Violence Prevention is an evidence-based, multifaceted program created to address public safety in Macon-Bibb County. Supported and funded by the consolidated government, MVP is a community-wide effort that brings together elected officials, community leaders and representatives from more than 20 agencies, organizations and departments.

The MVP program operates under the guidance of the MVP Strategic Plan, which was created in June of 2021 by community stakeholders and violent crime experts. The plan combines data and research with community feedback to identify and implement proven solutions that reduce violent crime and strengthen the community over time.