Letter from ASCC's Executive Director/Founder, Ms. DeBorah Wilder
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On the behalf of my staff, the hundreds of volunteers and the men and women who dedicate their lives every day in
helping our youth I would like to personally thank you for your interest with our organization. My personal
commitment to the success of the Ashley Strickland’s Children Corporation (ASCC) is driven by strong passion
and experiences from working with youth in the foster care system. My daughter
Ashley
has given me and those
around me hope that all children can make a difference in the lives of others. Here at ASCC we are determined
to provide the knowledge to every young adult that enters our doors and prepare them for the harsh realities
that society can bring.
The simple survival skills and tasks that are taught in a loving and caring home are foreign to our youth who
reside in foster care and juvenile justice system. Simple duties most of us take for granted such as budgeting a
checking account, interviewing for a job, keeping a job, cooking, pumping gas, or taking the bus lack the basic
fundamentals with our “age-out” youth.
Many wonderful programs are already in place to assist these youths while they are in the foster care system.
However, not all curriculums put in place are effectively taught or monitored for these youth to survive as
independent and productive adults who contribute to the betterment of the world in which they live. ASCC’s
focus is to improve the outcome of what happens when a youth “ages-out” of the foster care or leaves the juvenile justice
system by educating them with the skills necessary to not only survive but to be a beneficial and contributing member of society.
They often don’t possess the basic ability necessary to lead an effective and productive life. Our website
illustrates the
statistical dilemma
and emphasizes on the point
that we are perpetuating the cycle of poverty by not educating these youths with the skills necessary to live
independently. Often these young people don’t have the safety net of family or share resources to fall back on.
Many have had no one in their life who has taken the time to invest in them or to encourage them to finish high school,
continue their education through college or trade school, or build the self esteem to take them spiritually to another
level. Frequently these youths have had no role models from which to learn basic social skills such as conflict
resolution, healthy and non-violent relationships, parenting skills, establishing career goals, and in general,
how to reach their fullest potential in all areas of their life.
Our staff and volunteers have one common goal at ASCC; to positively impact and educate each individual youth who
comes through our program leaving them prepared in the best possible way to greet the real world head on – and
succeed.
As we embark in providing youth the wisdom to soar, my team and I look forward to working within the community and
hearing new ideas to further our success.
On the behalf of my staff, the hundreds of volunteers and the men and women who dedicate their lives every day in
helping our youth I would like to personally thank you for your interest with our organization. My personal
commitment to the success of the Ashley Strickland’s Children Corporation (ASCC) is driven by strong passion
and experiences from working with youth in the foster care system. My daughter
