The Act of Inspiring, Coaching Others

Veronne Carter is a father to many. 

In the Hatboro home he shares with his wife Vonetta, the couple’s brood ranges in age from 10 months to 14 years old. Outside the home, the Carters mentor, coach and help to build the self esteem of countless other kids through their Live Life Loud Christian Ministries.

“It’s always been our heart to work with young people,” Veronne said.

Upon moving to Hatboro in 2007, the Carters didn’t waste any time. For two years, the couple ran an interactive toy store in Hatboro’s downtown called Kidz Klub, where they offered free events, including kids karaoke, art exhibits and more. 

“We didn’t want to hire out professionals to perform for the kids,” Veronne said, adding that it’s important to help kids discover their talents. “We’ll give you the chance to be the comedian.”

With the retail business closed, the Carters are now using other outlets to reach and inspire kids. At Penn Valley Church, Vonetta said they minister to 20 to 25 teens and help to teach them positive strategies. 

“We’re not trying to be their parents,” she said. “But, we tell them, ‘if you do this, this is what the outcome is going to be’ … it’s really just holding them accountable.”

Perhaps most importantly, the Carters practice what they preach, bringing their own children along on trips to feed the homeless and provide community outreach. “The moment we take the focus off of ourselves and focus on something else, that’s the most rewarding thing,” she said.

At the moment, Veronne, an aspiring actor since age 8 or 9, is focusing on mentoring and coaching young actors. He works with a group of teens in a performance troupe that sings, dances and mimes. He also leads an acting class for a group of mostly 12 year olds at the Hatboro YMCA on Saturdays.

“I was one of those people that could’ve followed that dream,” he said before a recent class at the Y. “I want to see other kids achieve.”  Besides encouraging young actors and offering suggestions for improving, Veronne also helps his class get rid of what he calls “defense mechanisms.”

Their first task during a recent class was to share how their week was in one minute, without saying “um,” tapping their feet, or exhibiting other nervous behaviors. While kids practiced scenes from skits he wrote, Veronne, during several instances, jumped to action waving his arms emphatically and giving direction on everything from poise to line delivery to making themselves – and the audience – believe what they were saying.

“We go after what we want with everything we have,” he said breaking into a scene rehearsal. “You’ve got to find what you want and go after it 100 percent.” 

Al Chagan, Impact Thrift Stores CFO, said he met Veronne through the Greater Hatboro Chamber of Commerce. Chagan said he knew right away that Veronne himself exudes the emotions he hopes to evoke in his young actors. 

“He has a legitimate passion for helping people, for making things better for the community,” said Chagan, who last year hired Veronne as Impact’s human resources coordinator. “He comes by with the sense of caring he has for the community - and especially the kids.”

Not just his own kids, but the extended family of kids at the YMCA, at his church and in the acting troupe he leads. Much like a parent would tell his child to sit up straight, Veronne coaches Taylor Wesolowski, 8, on how to deliver her lines without fidgeting and swaying her arms.

Taylor, of Hatboro, takes it all in stride and said she doesn’t mind being with a trio of 12 year olds in Veronne’s YMCA class.

“I thought I’d maybe go for it because I acted all the time at home,” Taylor said. “I’m loving it.”