It's been two months since I moved to Dallas. What a whirlwind. When I decided to take on this adventure I had no clue what I was getting myself into. I just knew that I believed wholeheartedly in the work that we do and that I made a promise to my mentee, Abril, that if she would be brave enough to go away to college, I would be brave and bring Step Up to a brand new group of teens in Dallas. In true Step Up fashion, we hit the ground running. Within three days of living here, I moved into our new Step Up office in the heart of downtown and I was meeting 50 amazing freshman girls at Uplift Luna – one of our four partner schools.
Being part of their journey
There is something magical about being around young people that puts everything into perspective. All of the nervousness and apprehension I felt prior to moving to Dallas seemed to float away at that first recruitment event. Meeting girls and talking to them about Step Up felt amazing and instantly I felt at home.
One of the hardest things about leaving Los Angeles was knowing I wouldn't be close to the girls I have been mentoring over the last four years. Girls who are in college now and girls who are still part of Step Up's mentorship program. Girls I've known since they were in the 9th grade. Nevertheless, that first day with Dallas teens, I realized that I get to be a part of the journey of a whole new set of girls. Girls who ironically remind me of the girls that I've come to know so well in Los Angeles.
A strong start
As if the teens weren't enough, I hit the jackpot when it comes to team members. Cordelia our fearless leader and managing director came on board shortly after I arrived and we immediately realized that we have the same passion for connecting with people and bringing them into our community. Then we brought on Danielle and Tiffini our 9th and 10th grade facilitators. These two women are stellar mentors and have worked so hard preparing for the school year, including being the first facilitators to go through our inaugural national facilitator training. After six intense first weeks in Dallas, building relationships with our four school partners, hiring amazing team members, training, and recruiting, after-school programs finally kicked off last week (week of September 5). The feedback we have received from girls has been outstanding. Girls are recognizing that in Step Up, they come as they are and they leave feeling empowered to become who they want to be. Additionally it's a pleasure to watch Danielle and Tiffini lead their workshops and engage with our girls. You can't beat the smile on a facilitators face after she's had an amazing class.
We are well on our way to reaching over 160 girls in Dallas this year, collaborating with both the Dallas Independent School District and Uplift Education. I personally feel so lucky to partner every day with some of the most committed educators, administrators and community liaisons I've ever met. Step Up is making a home at DISD and we're honored. I love walking in to the parent center at South Oak Cliff and seeing Ms. Hill-Jones' smiling face or connecting with our City Year friends at Franklin D. Roosevelt and Thomas Jefferson. Dallas is special—filled with real-life Southern hospitality, strong values and incredible young people searching for a safe space to thrive.
A promise
It's only been two months but I have to say, I might be falling for Dallas. I still have to be really brave some days, when I miss my family, my friends and all the girls in Los Angeles. When those days come, I think about Abril, my mentee. She will be going off to college this weekend, in the Bay Area. It's taken three years, a hundred conversations, some tough cries and hard decisions to get to this point but last night over Skype we crossed off everything on her packing list. She's nervous. She's moving to a new place, where she won't know anyone but she is going to college. We both made a promise, to be brave and to take Step Up with us wherever we go.
Sending love from deep in the heart of Texas,
Special moment during
an after-school program
for 9th graders at
Roosevelt High School
Cordelia welcomes one
of Step Up Dallas'
newest members
Danielle and Tiffini
on their first day
at Step Up Dallas
