Today we’d like to introduce you to Tyshae Johnson.
Can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today?
Thank so much for the opportunity to share my story. I am a native of Los Angeles, California. My husband and I have been together since high school and we have a beautiful daughter! I was raised an only child by my mother. She was 17 years old when I was born, so most can agree that becoming a teen parent presents its struggles. Growing up in the inner city, I was exposed to substance abuse, violence, and other negative influences. Now having a child of my own, I feel my mother did the best she could, considering the circumstance. However, I am grateful for God’s grace and the support of family that played a role in guiding, protecting, and loving me. This is why I am a strong believer in, “It takes a village to raise a child.” No one parent can do it alone.
I have always been a very cautious-spirited person, so behavior problems weren’t an issue for me. However, throughout my adolescent and teen years, I was extremely self-conscious and insecure about my body image. Being tall and skinny, I often felt uncomfortable in my skin. I recall being on the volleyball team in junior high. I was one of the tallest on the team and had the ability to be great, but I was always detracted and consumed about how thin I was. I missed out on participating or exploring many interests I believe I would have enjoyed. It was such a heartbreaking and crippling feeling that no girl or anyone should experience. I believe it’s important that as women we are obligated to build our girls’ self-esteem and confidence by instilling in them the belief that we are all beautiful individuals and should love and embrace our uniqueness.
After high school, I began working towards getting my degree in Sociology, in pursuit of fostering my interest in working with youth. One of my first experiences was working as a teacher’s assistant in the inner city with youth exhibiting at-risk behavior. It was then, that my ignition was lit to work with troubled and at-risk youth, which can be challenging. Upon completion of my degree, I pursued a career in Juvenile Probation. Since 2002, I have worked with both male and female youth offenders in the juvenile justice system. I performed as a Juvenile Detention and Probation Officer for Los Angeles County and eventually moved to North Texas in 2005 to continue the same career path with Collin County.
In 2012, my husband and I were blessed with the birth of our daughter. I was grateful for the opportunity to be a stay- at -home mom. However, I still felt motivated to stay involved with at-risk youth. From my experiences with working with girls in the juvenile system, I was keenly aware of their needs for additional support, guidance, tools and resources to combat the current issues they are challenged with today. Such concerns include; sexual exploitation, substance abuse, cyber bullying, false images of women in the media, and I can go on. Because of this realization, G.I.R.L. Mentoring (Growing and Inspiring Responsible Leaders) was founded in 2016! Undoubtedly, both my personal and professional experiences and becoming a ‘girl mom’ was definitely the driving force in creating G.I.R.L. Mentoring.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
G.I.R.L. Mentoring’s journey has been evolving at a slow and steady pace since being created. However, there has been a couple of delays and setbacks due to Covid. It has been a challenge providing the level of service desired, because of the restrictions caused by the pandemic. The detention centers aren’t allowing the youth to receive visitations at this time. We’ve been able provide some virtual activities, but there is nothing like in-person connection. Until the centers lift their restrictions, we’ve implemented ‘Gift for Girls’. We accept donations from supporter throughout the year. However, around the holidays, we provide the girls with essential items to keep them encouraged, inspired, and reminded that there are people who care about them and rooting for them to succeed. A donation list and ways to support are available our website at www.girlmentoring.org for anyone interested in supporting the cause.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
G.I.R.L. Mentoring is an organization that works with teen girls between the ages of 12-17, who are currently involved in the juvenile justice systems or exhibits behaviors that can ultimately lead them down that path.
We offer workshops, activities, and discussions to promote positive self-esteem and body image, leadership skills, self-confidence, life skills, education, career goals, and more. We also connect with various organizations within the community who share a common mission of helping girls succeed.
As previously mentioned, the bulk of our work is providing services to the girls within the juvenile detention centers, whose detainment are from six months to one year. We provide them with resources so when they are released from detention and faced with the temptations of their environment, they will have been equipped with tools to empower them in making better life choices.
What sets us apart from others is, G.I.R.L. Mentoring is a team of incredible women from all walks of life who share a passion and desire to inspire girls. Many of the volunteers are women who have experienced adversities, been in the juvenile or adult system previously, been victims of some form of abuse, or experienced substance abuse, teen pregnancy, and other adversities. Sharing their testimonies of trials and triumphs help restore hope in these girls. We want to inspire them to believe that there is a possibility for a healthy, safe, and productive life and that their past or present situation does not determine their destiny. Our aim is to encourage them to believe that their current circumstance is a learning experience, not a life sentence.
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
I believe that most people who know me might be unaware that I am a sensitive person. I do wear my heart on my sleeve at times.
Contact Info:
- Email: girlmentoring17@gmail.com
- Website: www.girlmentoring.org
- Instagram: @girlmentoring
- Facebook: GIRL Mentoring or Tyshae Jefferson-Johnson
