We recently connected with Betty Aristide-Augustin and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Betty, thanks for joining us today. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?
Mission: EdeYouth (EY) is a youth-centered organization that exists to answer the question, “How do we raise tomorrow’s leaders, today?” We enable young people to acquire functional skills through relevant training programs and workshops. We emphasize building self-awareness, self-esteem, as well as self-improvement among youth and young adults ages 13-21 in the United States and Haiti.
Growing up, I moved around a lot, and I had my share of abuse, mental, physical, emotional, and sexual abuse. That experience was orientation and training for my calling. When you see a problem everywhere you go. It aches your heart, which means you have to do something about it. I cannot stand to see any children or any youth going through what I went through. I did not have a voice. I did not have EdeYouth to help me understand or process the emotions that I felt. The emotions were scattered and I couldn’t make sense of them. Therapy and prayer helped me find myself, and get to know me. I learned to love myself, and that was the beginning. Therapy and prayer helped discover Betty. Once I knew who I was, I made it a priority to know why I am here. Then I discovered my passion. My passion is to help young people become effective leaders TODAY. This passion is the fuel in my engine.
Betty, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
My name is Betty Aristide-Augustin. I’m a mother of an amazing young man who shows me motherhood is one of the best gifts in the world. This year makes it 10 years marriage to my Mr. wonderful, Mr. Augustin. I thank God for them and for my tribe. I was born in Haiti, came to the US at the age of 13. I lived with my father and then my aunt. At the age of 16, I became a ward of the state. I aged out of foster care at the age of 21, lived with a friend, and became homeless, and I lived with another friend until I got my first apartment in Brooklyn. I moved to Queens to my second apartment, then bought my first home with my sister.
EdeYouth (Eh-day-Yooth = Help Youth) started after the 2010 Earthquake in Haiti returning from a mission trip with Beraca Baptist church. Six board members birthed the organization on June 24th 2010. The organization is a one stop shop! That sets us apart from other organization.
We provide life skills trainings that focuses on mental health, financial literacy, scholarship mentorship, vocational training, and additional training opportunities, and resource to help our youth become independent thinkers and become viable assets in their community. Ultimately, we prepare our youth for adulthood by grooming them for success NOW.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
When the pandemic first hit, we had to cancel all our in-person training and programs. Instead of getting stuck in the challenges of the present, we quickly pivoted to remote training with creativity and a lot of hard work. We started new mentorship programs, established online communities where international colleagues could collaborate, and we even partnered with a fellow nonprofit, Alexander YES, to pilot a youth etiquette program helping teach valuable table manners and other functional skills. All of these teaching tools and technologies were available to us prior to the pandemic, but it took recognizing the possibilities of the present, and finding the silver lining, for us to fully embrace them.
Covid-19 did not affect us much. We were able to transition virtually and still help out in the shelters safely and in the schools. Every year we adopt a family for Christmas and for Thanksgiving. We partner with the local schools in the community that connects us with parents who are not able to provide food or gifts for their children doing the holidays. No children should go without when we have a great community that supports the organization. The list is growing from one to now two or three.
Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?
Leaders must be prepared for the rollercoaster ride. No concrete plan has ever been implemented as it was first written. Things change. People change. Mission statements can also change as well. A prime example in the United States Covid-19. We were able to transition. So, I’d say definitely find your inner resources to keep you going for long-term success and sustainability. Leadership can be exciting and rewarding. It is rarely easy. If you are setting out to be a leader, study yourself first. In what ways are you resilient? How do you treat others when no one is watching? What gives you energy and how do you tap into that inner strength? How do you build community and mobilize others? Not only will this help you become a better leader, but it will also help you be better for yourself and everyone around you.
I find my inner resources from the following;
1. The Holy Bible, Jesus has been my foundation
2. Keys for Vision by Dr. Myles Munroe
3. Strength Finder from Gallup, Discover your ClifftonStrengths by Don Clifton
4. The 21 Laws of Leadership by John C. Maxwell
5. The 5 Love Languages of Children by Gary Capman & Rose Campbell
6. Mental Health Certificates from Nami and Mental Health first Aid
7. Wine & Wealth Understanding, Improving & Protecting Your Credit by Sunshine Smith-Williams
8. How the Good-Ol, Dr. V Came to Be By Dr. Renee Volny Darko
9. Do Right Do Good By Dr. Jean Alerte
10. The Multiplier by Liz Wiseman
11. Anger Management For Parents By Susan Garcia
12. Armed and Dangerous Book By John Ramirez
13. What Do you Dare to Dream? A call to Action by Valerie Jeannis.
Contact Info:
- Website: .www.edeyouth.org
- Instagram: .https://www.instagram.com/ede_youth/
- Facebook: .https://www.facebook.com/people/EdeYouth-Foundation/100064813083629/
- Linkedin: .https://www.linkedin.com/in/edeyouth-inc-1443bb6b/?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fedeyouth.org%2F
- Twitter: .https://twitter.com/edeyouthorg
- YouTube: .https://www.youtube.com/edeyouth
- Other: Make this a monthly donation here
Image Credits
Horace Nangle Instagram:: Horacenanglephotography