Allison James Raises Confidence, Positive Energy for Newark's Girls

Allison James, founder and president of the Newark-based not-for-profit organization Girls; Live, Laugh, Love Inc. is no stranger to love. As one of nine children from a close knit home from Newark's Stella Wright Housing Projects her family is her strength.

Unfortunately, she is also no stranger to violence. James lost her father and fiancée and almost lost her brother to separate acts of gun violence on the streets of Newark. Today, though, she channels that perspective into something positive for Newark's girls. 

Determined to make a better life for herself, James knew she had to complete high school. Successful employment ensued. Once established, she knew it was time to act on her "vision to get girls off the streets and to help them with life skills." Reaching out, James contacted some girlfriends who had the skill set and "positive energy" she wanted to bring to Newark's young women.

After brainstorming sessions, Girls; Live, Laugh, Love Inc. was officially founded in September 2009. Working with girls aged 6 to 17, their mission is to create "a better quality of life, empowerment, positive attitudes, proper hygiene, proper etiquette and the importance of higher education." A simple enrollment form is on their website. 

Currently, 24 girls are enrolled in the program with nine mentors. The organization is in the process of finalizing their 501(c)(3) not-for-profit status and is primarily funded through donations and fundraisers. The only things girls are asked to purchase are a shirt, journal and totebag.

Among the organization's successful outreaches were donating 100 cases of water to Haiti in 2010, a toy drive for the South 17th Street School and a pink bake sale where all the proceeds went to breast cancer awareness.

In conjunction with the continuous community outreach, some specific highlights for the girls this summer include an upscale dining experience, trip to the Turtle Back Zoo in West Orange and an evening in New York to sight see, as well as volunteer. The organization's Facebook page is also continually updated with events.

As to some of challenges and needs facing the girls in the program, James feels "shyness, peer pressure and low self-esteem" are the most hindering obstacles for the girls. She incorporates a variety of means to help girls overcome these challenges, such as volunteer and community work, where public speaking helps them open up and helps instill value and self worth.

Other aspects include one-on-one, as well as group mentoring time, and journaling to provide a safe space for their thoughts. Another fun way the girls build confidence is through fashion shows that help them showcase their inner and outer beauty, according to James.

Of her journey, James said her sister Jackie says it best, "To mother is not only to mother your own, it's to mother … the world." Those words struck a chord in her heart and had her "sitting back thinking what if we all thought like this. Oh, how this world would be a better place to live in."