Get Kids in the Game

Rodreshia's “office” spans basketball courts, local schools and street corners — anywhere at-risk youth can be found in this Upper West Side neighborhood of Manhattan.

As a World Vision-trained youth outreach worker, Rodreshia has built trust with local young people. Reaching out as a mentor, tutor, counselor and friend, she shows troubled teenagers that she believes in their potential.

Rodreshia is committed to helping youth overcome the kinds of struggles she faced as a teenager. Raised by a single mother after her parents divorced, Rodreshia struggled with homework and got into trouble at school. “I see the lives of kids now and think, I used to be that person."

Rodreshia knows the realities these disadvantaged youth struggle against every day in their mixed-income community — poor education, drug use, gang activity and lack of job opportunities. With many parents working multiple jobs to stay afloat, Rodreshia finds that often the biggest need for youth is to have an adult in their lives who is there for them.

“Their sense of family stability is gone,” explains Rodreshia. “Carmen*, a high school student I mentor, has no one to help her with homework or to cook dinner because her mother has to work overtime. Sometimes I go make a meal for her and we talk.”

Youth often call Rodreshia for counsel in the middle of the night and early in the morning. She rarely has a day off. But she loves her work.