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MENTORING
Focused on the youth in the Valdosta Community :
Chanel Randolph
by DR . VANESA M . SCOTT-THOMPSON photos submitted
When Chanel Randolph is out and about in the Valdosta community , she overhears conversations that spring her into action .
“ When I was working at Walmart as a customer service manager , I overheard a conversation between a mother and daughter about school supplies . The daughter asked her mom for paper , and the mom told her they could not get it . It bothered me that the mom could not get an 89-cent pack of paper . I did not judge because the money in their house might be needed for lights or medicine ; hence , Tools for Schools was birthed in 2009 ,” Randolph said .
“ When I hear people ’ s stories and their hardships , it makes me want to create a program to help them . When there is a need for something , and it is possible , I will create an initiative . I am passionate about helping people .”
Beautiful Creations by Chanel Inc . is dedicated to promoting and enhancing the quality of education and increasing the self-esteem of youth . The name Beautiful Creations means that everyone is a beautiful creation from God . The organization started in 2009 , and it became a 501c3 in 2012 .
Randolph is a military brat who moved with her father to Valdosta almost 20 years ago and has since made it her home . She juggles a full-time job , raising her 2-year-old , and is the president and founder of Beautiful Creations . She is passionate about enhancing and empowering the lives of youth . She has various community initiatives that occur during the year .
Randolph is passionate about her mentoring program for girls in ninth through twelfth grade , Change for Prosperity Mentoring Program .
“ We meet once a week and once a month to teach girls how to do their natural hair , job shadowing , college tours , college preparation skills , homework help , and life skills development . Mentees need someone to talk to and listen to them ,” Randolph said .
“ Since it is geared for high school girls , there is a focus on self-esteem . One of my mentees had a lot of self-esteem issues and she had to discover it within herself . I saw how she changed in our program ; she graduated high school recently and is well on her way .”
The year ’ s first event is Rags to Riches , which began in 2016 and takes place in March / April .
30 Valdosta Scene | August 2022