We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Sydia Limehouse a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Sydia , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s start with education – we’d love to hear your thoughts about how we can better prepare students for a more fulfilling life and career
As an educator and someone who is educated what I would change is the lack of creativity that is allowed from students . I would change the fact that schools have detention in place I would replace it with meditation and journaling . The educational system should implement hard skills and the importance of credit and creating their own reality. The educational system should incorporate classroom’s without walls leaving the four walls of the building and try teaching outside, attempt studying in an another state or country during their high school year’s.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I am Sydia Colbert /Limehouse, a Social Worker and doctoral candidate. 12 years ago, I founded The Lost Angel’s Society, a non-profit offering a safe space for youth. We provide self-esteem courses, volunteer opportunities, education, housing, therapy, employment support, clothing, and food. What sets us apart is my personal understanding of homelessness and broken homes, recognizing the impact on young lives.
I am proud of mentoring graduates who’ve started businesses, crediting their success to The Lost Angel’s Society. We’ve distributed 3,000 backpacks, provided fresh produce to 200 families weekly during the pandemic, and helped six families transition from homelessness to stability. We granted two scholarships, sent a child to Disney World, and recognized 30 impactful individuals who are within the community.
Operating without external funding, we’re finalizing details to open a recreational facility for youth aged 13-21, offering education, employment, housing, and counseling. The Lost Angel’s Society thrives through teamwork, making a lasting impact on the lives of the youth we serve.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
That nothing happens to me that everything happens from me and that if I wanted to change my experiences I must first change the way I thought. That forgiveness is my only function and by doing so all lessons are learned.
I am forever grateful for this teaching.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
At the age 16 my parents separated because my mother suffered from alcoholism. This separation caused me to become a displaced teenager away from her parents and siblings. I moved 21 times because of it . Through it all i just knew i had to keep going. I cried and prayed and decided I needed to be the example to my siblings. At the time i was the only one to finish high school graduate and go to college. I attempted suicide at the age 16 and once I did not die I knew that the burden of changing the narrative was my own . I did not want to be a product of my environment i wanted to be the example of it and that is what I became .
I would like to give special Thanks to My daughter Aniyah Simmons , My parents Frances Limehouse and Tracy Colbert Sr. All of my siblings , Tyreek , Tracey Jr. Ebony , Yasmine , Jahbar and Jerome Jr.
My Grandmother Mary Colbert My Grandfather Willie Colbert , My Aunt Olga Robinson . And my entire TLAS team #LOVEISWHATLOVEDOES
Contact Info:
- Instagram: TlAS2011
- Facebook: Lost Angel’s Society
Image Credits
Sydia Colbert/ Limehouse-CEO , Owner and Founder of TLAS Edgar Plummer – President of TLAS Tamika Mabry – Board Member of TLAS Jonathan Rodriguez- Vice president of TLAS Aniyah Simmons – Daughter of CEO Charmaine Crosby – Board Member of TLAS Amanda Barnes- Board Member of TLAS Tamara Badson – Director of finance Latrell Hargrove – Director of public relations Ambkisya Magee- Board Member of TLAS Esquire Dent – President of TLAS Long Island branch ( R. I, P ) I dedicate TLAS to him as he started with me 12 year’s ago .