The S.I.S.T.A.H.S. Ministry International
Uniting Women and Teenage Girls to Impact Their World
DIRECTOR, ELDER SHARNAE COAKLEY
Sharnae Coakley born and raised in Detroit, Michigan to her loving parents Vernon and Norma Coakley. At the tender age of 5, she experienced the divorce of her parents. She was still blessed to be raised in a household with her mother and five other siblings. Even through rough time her mother always put Jesus first. Struggling to raise 6 kids on her own, her mother made her into the leader she is today. Sharnae was raised in a church and accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior at a young age. I had the pleasure to have a grandmother (late Pastor Catherine Calloway of God’s Enlighten Army) being a Pastor in the 70’s, which was unheard of at that time. So I was raised knowing that “I can do all things through Christ who strengths me” no matter what the circumstances are or what the world may say. Jesus and Family was highly stress as importance in one’s family.
During her childhood, she had several encounters with Angels. Her most remembered encounter was when her Grandmother passed. Sharnae was 19 at the time. An Angel was just waving at me out my closet dressed all in white. The same vision was given to my two brothers but they saw it in a dream. That next morning is when we found out my Granny had passed and that we all had the same encounter. From that day forth no one could ever convince me that there is no a God! I knew God had plans for my life in his Kingdom Building.
Another encounter happened on Halloween night and our electricity was off and she had a plastic table as a nightstand next to my bed. On the table, was a typewriter and she place a small candle on it to see while going through her candy. I fell asleep with the candle burning. The typewriter and table were on fire and my curtains also above my head. The fire was burning right in my face and completely surrounding my head and mattress. The flames never touched me and I did not feel any heat. My brother Derric came and picked up the table and snatched the curtains and throw them into the bathtub, never burning his hands. My Mother made sure to let me that I was covered by the blood of Jesus and it was not my time to go. God has a purpose for my life and my family line.
After high school, Sharnae was given a full nursing scholarship to attend Wayne State University to obtain her BSN in three years instead of four. Unfortunately, she run into some giants and became pregnant and had my first child at the tender age of 19. She continued to press on at Wayne State but unfortunately was not able to cope with the stress of her first child and a rigorous fulltime school schedule, even with her family support. This only made Sharnae press harder to obtain her nursing degree. For God will never put more on you then you can bear. She finished her nursing degree at Henry Ford Community College and then returned back to Wayne State to obtain her BSN. She furthered her education with a Master degree in Business Administration.
Through her trials and tribulations being a teen-mother has given her testimony to be an inspiration to others. Mentoring and Counseling teenagers and young adults has fulfilled her life and her mission to be a Fisher of Men. For God said: “Follow me and I will make you Fishers of Men”. Kingdom Building is her mission.
Sharnae is a member of Heirs of the Promise under the anointing leadership of Bishop Andre "Sonny" Woods of Detroit, MI. She credits her strong foundation from Bishop Woods anointed teachings. Sharnae first started out serving her Bishop as a Nurse and years later elevated to Elder. Titles never fascinated her. For on her judgment day, she just want the Lord to know her name and say those bless words. . . My loyal and faithful servant, job well done. She was fearful of the calling on her life. God sent confirmation thru several Prophets telling her she was a Minister. She knowing “God did not give her the spirit of fear”. She continues to avoid the situation at hand asking God why me? “For many are call but few are chosen” was her understanding and God want her. Then God worked her doing her slumber allowing her to preach sermons in her sleep, causing many sleepless nights. She finally gave in to God’s will. For she knows he knows best.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come to pray to me and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the Lord. (Jeremiah 29:11-14)
Sharnae continues to reside in the Metro Detroit area with her loving, supportive and devoted family. She now knows doing God’s work come natural and easy.
me safely to his Heavenly Kingdom.
To God be the glory forever and ever.
(2 Timothy 4:18)
2010 SISTAH Teen Elevation
Teens from Detroit Federation of Youth and Covenant House fellowship and were informed about:
What Kind of Love Is This, Evangelist Tamala Carmichael
Don't Mistake My Youthfulness for My Gift-fulness, Chisome Ajagu
I Need a Healing For My Soul, Evangelist Samantha Ajagu
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SISTAH Teens Mentoring Initiative Spotlight
Destiny Lewis
F * A * I * T * H
Somewhere in my heart beyond all my pride
Holds a secret desire so intense, deep inside
Imprisoned with my passion and love,
Unknown to anyone but the One above
A desire for someone to cherish and hold,
The need for a love to call my own
Someone to kiss and make-up with after a fight
Someone who can respect all I can be
Someone who’s strong enough to commit and love only me
Someone who will be there and kiss away my tears,
Secure my doubts and release me from all my fears
Someone I can depend on to be my friend
Someone who can restore my faith in love once again
The love is like a dream yet to come true,
Or so I believed until I found you
"Who Am I?"
(I Peter 1:1-2)
Who am I? I have a life in Christ.
Who am I? I am born again to live for Christ.
Who am I? My purpose in life now changes.
Whatever we do, we will do it as a living testimony of Christ being in us. Does this mean, we will be happy, happy, happy, all the time? No, of course not. Life is a mixture of wonderful, happy times, and also sad, and tragic times. As a Christian, though, we know that everything that happens to us is by the will of God. He gives us the strength to endure many unhappy and tragic times. We know that our home is no longer here, but in heaven. Therefore, though we may not always be happy, we can always have a peace with God. We are no longer tossed to and fro by everything we go through, but rest in the confidence that our God is there, and takes care of us through the hard times.
Who am I, i.e. Who am I in Christ? I am a child of God, chosen by Him to live my life, no matter what my circumstances, according to God’s will and for His glory.
Do we always understand this? No, not always. We may have the knowledge and understanding that this is true, but often we find ourselves living exactly the opposite, i.e. just as fearful as those who have no hope in Christ. What do we do? We fall before God, ask Him to forgive us, and to help us to live more in the peace and faith of His guidance and protection.
Growth is always somewhat sporadic. Small children may grow a few inches a year, then seem to almost stop growing, and then shoot up by many inches in just a few short years. Our growth, is just like that. We have “dry” periods when God seems so far away. But, does God leave us? No. We leave Him, but when we come back, there He is to forgive us, and to help us grow stronger in Him.
What is My Purpose?
I Corinthians 12:14-26, says:
For the body does not consist of one member but of many. If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell? But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. If all were a single member, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, yet one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and on those parts of the body that we think less honorable we bestow the greater honor, and our unpresentable parts are treated with greater modesty, which our more presentable parts do not require. But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.
We All Have A Purpose
Have you ever heard anyone say, there’s nothing special I can do; I just don’t have any purpose in life? Or, how about this, I just want to die, there’s nothing left in life for me to live for?
We live in a culture today that puts so much emphasis on the wrong thing. After all, if you’re not young or beautiful, what is there for you? We are all affected by this.
I’ve noticed a very interesting thing among teenagers (this often goes for adults, too). Have you noticed, especially when talking about physical features, everyone will tell you their major physical defect. At least, it’s major to them. You look at this gorgeous gal, and think, “Wow, what would I give to look like that?” She will tell you, however, I’m not beautiful, my nose is too long, or my eyes are too small, or my teeth are crooked, or I walk funny, or I’m too short, or I’m too tall, etc. Our own perspective of ourselves is usually very negative. Yet, all of that is totally irrelevant, even though our culture does not view it that way. What does the Bible say about our purpose in life?
We are all members of one body, therefore, we each have the specific purpose that God designed for us to have! For the body does not consist of one member but of many.
God has made you for a unique and special purpose. Examine your own likes and dislikes: what you are really good at and what you are not good at, what is really interesting and fun to you and what is not.
“Why does THIS matter,” you ask? It matters because you were designed by God to be you! You have a unique place and purpose that no one else has. You may think, “There are a million other people who are just like me—they like the same things I like, and do the same things I do. Not true! Many people may be similar to you, but they are never exactly like you. You are a unique part of the world God has placed you in, and you are needed. No one else is exactly like you, therefore, without you, something would be missing. Examine just who you are, and you will have taken one gigantic step toward finding your purpose in life.
That Purpose is Necessary
Not only are you unique, but the purpose in life God has chosen for you in this life is necessary. Is that true only if you are someone really important, like the president of the United States? Definitely not! Look at what verses 15 through 19 of 1 Corinthians.
If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell? But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. If all were a single member, where would the body be?
Are your feet necessary? Even though you can still live without your feet, life would certainly be much more difficult. for a specific function.
Are your hands necessary? Well, you may be able to live without them, but you would have serious difficulties managing without your hands. What about your ears, your eyes, your legs, well, I think you get the idea. God gave us each of these things for a specific function.
Can your feet comb your hair, or type a letter, or catch a ball? Can you walk on your hands, or on your ears, or on your eyes? Can you hear with your feet, or your hands, or your legs? Can you see with your ears, or your legs, or your hands? We hardly notice our ears, unless we have cute earrings; or our eyes, unless we wear glasses; or our feet, unless we are wearing flip flops and have painted our toenails.
No One Purpose is More Important Than Another
We tend to view certain people as more important than others. The CEO is considered to be the most important person in a corporation. What about the workers in the factory? How well would the CEO do if all of the factory workers in his window factory decided to not show up for work for one month? How well would the corporation do if the factory workers showed up as usual, but the CEO did not show up for one month? They would certainly have difficulty if the CEO didn’t show up, but the factory could still keep on running, and windows would still be produced every day. However, if the factory workers all decided not to show up, production would stop for one month. I’m not saying that the CEO is not important. Of course he is, but even the “lowly” factory workers are important in the corporation.
Look at these verses from 1 Corinthians 12:21-26.
The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.”
On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and on those parts of the body that we think less honorable we bestow the greater honor, and our unpresentable parts are treated with greater modesty, which our more presentable parts do not require. But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.
You have a purpose in life; that purpose is unique; and no one purpose is more important than another. Think about that the next time you comb your hair.
For the body does not consist of one member but of many. If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell? But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. If all were a single member, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, yet one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and on those parts of the body that we think less honorable we bestow the greater honor, and our unpresentable parts are treated with greater modesty, which our more presentable parts do not require. But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.
Have you ever heard anyone say, there’s nothing special I can do; I just don’t have any purpose in life? Or, how about this, I just want to die, there’s nothing left in life for me to live for?
We live in a culture today that puts so much emphasis on the wrong thing. After all, if you’re not young or beautiful, what is there for you? We are all affected by this.
I’ve noticed a very interesting thing among teenagers (this often goes for adults, too). Have you noticed, especially when talking about physical features, everyone will tell you their major physical defect. At least, it’s major to them. You look at this gorgeous gal, and think, “Wow, what would I give to look like that?” She will tell you, however, I’m not beautiful, my nose is too long, or my eyes are too small, or my teeth are crooked, or I walk funny, or I’m too short, or I’m too tall, etc. Our own perspective of ourselves is usually very negative. Yet, all of that is totally irrelevant, even though our culture does not view it that way. What does the Bible say about our purpose in life?
We are all members of one body, therefore, we each have the specific purpose that God designed for us to have! For the body does not consist of one member but of many.
God has made you for a unique and special purpose. Examine your own likes and dislikes: what you are really good at and what you are not good at, what is really interesting and fun to you and what is not.
“Why does THIS matter,” you ask? It matters because you were designed by God to be you! You have a unique place and purpose that no one else has. You may think, “There are a million other people who are just like me—they like the same things I like, and do the same things I do. Not true! Many people may be similar to you, but they are never exactly like you. You are a unique part of the world God has placed you in, and you are needed. No one else is exactly like you, therefore, without you, something would be missing. Examine just who you are, and you will have taken one gigantic step toward finding your purpose in life.
Not only are you unique, but the purpose in life God has chosen for you in this life is necessary. Is that true only if you are someone really important, like the president of the United States? Definitely not! Look at what verses 15 through 19 of 1 Corinthians.
If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell? But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. If all were a single member, where would the body be?
Are your feet necessary? Even though you can still live without your feet, life would certainly be much more difficult. for a specific function.
Are your hands necessary? Well, you may be able to live without them, but you would have serious difficulties managing without your hands. What about your ears, your eyes, your legs, well, I think you get the idea. God gave us each of these things for a specific function.
Can your feet comb your hair, or type a letter, or catch a ball? Can you walk on your hands, or on your ears, or on your eyes? Can you hear with your feet, or your hands, or your legs? Can you see with your ears, or your legs, or your hands? We hardly notice our ears, unless we have cute earrings; or our eyes, unless we wear glasses; or our feet, unless we are wearing flip flops and have painted our toenails.
We tend to view certain people as more important than others. The CEO is considered to be the most important person in a corporation. What about the workers in the factory? How well would the CEO do if all of the factory workers in his window factory decided to not show up for work for one month? How well would the corporation do if the factory workers showed up as usual, but the CEO did not show up for one month? They would certainly have difficulty if the CEO didn’t show up, but the factory could still keep on running, and windows would still be produced every day. However, if the factory workers all decided not to show up, production would stop for one month. I’m not saying that the CEO is not important. Of course he is, but even the “lowly” factory workers are important in the corporation.
Look at these verses from 1 Corinthians 12:21-26.
The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.”
On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and on those parts of the body that we think less honorable we bestow the greater honor, and our unpresentable parts are treated with greater modesty, which our more presentable parts do not require. But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.
You have a purpose in life; that purpose is unique; and no one purpose is more important than another. Think about that the next time you comb your hair.
2 B Loved
by Sharnae Coakley
For there is no love greater than God’s, “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning, great is your faithfulness” (Lamentations 3:22-23). Young ladies when you look into the mirror are you happy with what you see? Are you skinny enough, pretty enough, is your hair long enough or do you not even look into the mirror. For God made you in his image, perfectly, big or small, short or tall, dark or light complexion. He loves you for who you are not what you look like. You must first love yourself before anyone can truly love you. God will love you no matter what.
God desires for you to seek him and for you to depend on him. He does not want you to search for acceptance in a man. We all know times get hard and you get lonely and you desire to be physically held by a man. But if you seek God he will be your father, mother, lover, provider and your healer. God needs you to sustain from sexually active (fornication). Because fornication is a “work of the flesh,” it is naturally a temptation used by Satan to hinder the God’s children. “Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body” (1 Corinthians 6:18).
Your body is a holy temple and it belongs to God until you are married. Food for the stomach and the stomach for food”—but God will destroy them both. The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body (1 Corinthians 6:13).
My young sisters television, the media and music industry makes it seem ok to half dress, aloud a man to call you out of your name, and sleep with as many people as possible for money. Don’t you dare aloud a man to define you, to direct your path, that’s not love that control. But this is just the way of the enemy to keep you bound and to stop your blessings from coming. It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control his own body in a way that is holy and honorable, not in passionate lust like the heathen, who do not know God (Thessalonians 4:3-5).
Love yourself for who God made you to be. Seek Him in all thy ways and He will reveal Himself to you. Pray a prayer of faith.
PRAYER:
Most gracious Father, we come to You asking for forgiveness of our sins. We offer up our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable in thy sight of our Lord. You are our Strength and our Redeemer. Oh God we bind the spirit of low self esteem, we bind the spirit of worthlessness, we bind the spirit of depression, and we bind the spirit of prostitution. Renew in us a clean heart and allow Your living waters to flow deep within us. We give You honor and glory for You are worthy to be praised.
Thank You for Your love, oh God, and allow us to have that same love one for another.
In Jesus Name, Amen.
God desires for you to seek him and for you to depend on him. He does not want you to search for acceptance in a man. We all know times get hard and you get lonely and you desire to be physically held by a man. But if you seek God he will be your father, mother, lover, provider and your healer. God needs you to sustain from sexually active (fornication). Because fornication is a “work of the flesh,” it is naturally a temptation used by Satan to hinder the God’s children. “Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body” (1 Corinthians 6:18).
Your body is a holy temple and it belongs to God until you are married. Food for the stomach and the stomach for food”—but God will destroy them both. The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body (1 Corinthians 6:13).
My young sisters television, the media and music industry makes it seem ok to half dress, aloud a man to call you out of your name, and sleep with as many people as possible for money. Don’t you dare aloud a man to define you, to direct your path, that’s not love that control. But this is just the way of the enemy to keep you bound and to stop your blessings from coming. It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control his own body in a way that is holy and honorable, not in passionate lust like the heathen, who do not know God (Thessalonians 4:3-5).
Love yourself for who God made you to be. Seek Him in all thy ways and He will reveal Himself to you. Pray a prayer of faith.
PRAYER:
Most gracious Father, we come to You asking for forgiveness of our sins. We offer up our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable in thy sight of our Lord. You are our Strength and our Redeemer. Oh God we bind the spirit of low self esteem, we bind the spirit of worthlessness, we bind the spirit of depression, and we bind the spirit of prostitution. Renew in us a clean heart and allow Your living waters to flow deep within us. We give You honor and glory for You are worthy to be praised.
Thank You for Your love, oh God, and allow us to have that same love one for another.
In Jesus Name, Amen.
SISTAH Teens Celebrate President Barack Obama
'What I Want for You — and Every Child in America'
By President-elect Barack Obama
Publication Date: 01/14/2009
Next Tuesday, Barack Obama will be sworn in as our 44th President. On this historic occasion, PARADE asked the President-elect, who is also a devoted family man, to get personal and tell us what he wants for his children. Here, he shares his letter to them.
Dear Malia and Sasha,
I know that you've both had a lot of fun these last two years on the campaign trail, going to picnics and parades and state fairs, eating all sorts of junk food your mother and I probably shouldn't have let you have. But I also know that it hasn't always been easy for you and Mom, and that as excited as you both are about that new puppy, it doesn't make up for all the time we've been apart. I know how much I've missed these past two years, and today I want to tell you a little more about why I decided to take our family on this journey.
When I was a young man, I thought life was all about me-about how I'd make my way in the world, become successful, and get the things I want. But then the two of you came into my world with all your curiosity and mischief and those smiles that never fail to fill my heart and light up my day. And suddenly, all my big plans for myself didn't seem so important anymore. I soon found that the greatest joy in my life was the joy I saw in yours. And I realized that my own life wouldn't count for much unless I was able to ensure that you had every opportunity for happiness and fulfillment in yours. In the end, girls, that's why I ran for President: because of what I want for you and for every child in this nation.
I want all our children to go to schools worthy of their potential-schools that challenge them, inspire them, and instill in them a sense of wonder about the world around them. I want them to have the chance to go to college-even if their parents aren't rich. And I want them to get good jobs: jobs that pay well and give them benefits like health care, jobs that let them spend time with their own kids and retire with dignity.
I want us to push the boundaries of discovery so that you'll live to see new technologies and inventions that improve our lives and make our planet cleaner and safer. And I want us to push our own human boundaries to reach beyond the divides of race and region, gender and religion that keep us from seeing the best in each other.
Sometimes we have to send our young men and women into war and other dangerous situations to protect our country-but when we do, I want to make sure that it is only for a very good reason, that we try our best to settle our differences with others peacefully, and that we do everything possible to keep our servicemen and women safe. And I want every child to understand that the blessings these brave Americans fight for are not free-that with the great privilege of being a citizen of this nation comes great responsibility.
That was the lesson your grandmother tried to teach me when I was your age, reading me the opening lines of the Declaration of Independence and telling me about the men and women who marched for equality because they believed those words put to paper two centuries ago should mean something.
She helped me understand that America is great not because it is perfect but because it can always be made better-and that the unfinished work of perfecting our union falls to each of us. It's a charge we pass on to our children, coming closer with each new generation to what we know America should be.
I hope both of you will take up that work, righting the wrongs that you see and working to give others the chances you've had. Not just because you have an obligation to give something back to this country that has given our family so much-although you do have that obligation. But because you have an obligation to yourself. Because it is only when you hitch your wagon to something larger than yourself that you will realize your true potential.
These are the things I want for you-to grow up in a world with no limits on your dreams and no achievements beyond your reach, and to grow into compassionate, committed women who will help build that world. And I want every child to have the same chances to learn and dream and grow and thrive that you girls have. That's why I've taken our family on this great adventure.
I am so proud of both of you. I love you more than you can ever know. And I am grateful every day for your patience, poise, grace, and humor as we prepare to start our new life together in the White House.
Love, Dad
By President-elect Barack Obama
Publication Date: 01/14/2009
Next Tuesday, Barack Obama will be sworn in as our 44th President. On this historic occasion, PARADE asked the President-elect, who is also a devoted family man, to get personal and tell us what he wants for his children. Here, he shares his letter to them.
Dear Malia and Sasha,
I know that you've both had a lot of fun these last two years on the campaign trail, going to picnics and parades and state fairs, eating all sorts of junk food your mother and I probably shouldn't have let you have. But I also know that it hasn't always been easy for you and Mom, and that as excited as you both are about that new puppy, it doesn't make up for all the time we've been apart. I know how much I've missed these past two years, and today I want to tell you a little more about why I decided to take our family on this journey.
When I was a young man, I thought life was all about me-about how I'd make my way in the world, become successful, and get the things I want. But then the two of you came into my world with all your curiosity and mischief and those smiles that never fail to fill my heart and light up my day. And suddenly, all my big plans for myself didn't seem so important anymore. I soon found that the greatest joy in my life was the joy I saw in yours. And I realized that my own life wouldn't count for much unless I was able to ensure that you had every opportunity for happiness and fulfillment in yours. In the end, girls, that's why I ran for President: because of what I want for you and for every child in this nation.
I want all our children to go to schools worthy of their potential-schools that challenge them, inspire them, and instill in them a sense of wonder about the world around them. I want them to have the chance to go to college-even if their parents aren't rich. And I want them to get good jobs: jobs that pay well and give them benefits like health care, jobs that let them spend time with their own kids and retire with dignity.
I want us to push the boundaries of discovery so that you'll live to see new technologies and inventions that improve our lives and make our planet cleaner and safer. And I want us to push our own human boundaries to reach beyond the divides of race and region, gender and religion that keep us from seeing the best in each other.
Sometimes we have to send our young men and women into war and other dangerous situations to protect our country-but when we do, I want to make sure that it is only for a very good reason, that we try our best to settle our differences with others peacefully, and that we do everything possible to keep our servicemen and women safe. And I want every child to understand that the blessings these brave Americans fight for are not free-that with the great privilege of being a citizen of this nation comes great responsibility.
That was the lesson your grandmother tried to teach me when I was your age, reading me the opening lines of the Declaration of Independence and telling me about the men and women who marched for equality because they believed those words put to paper two centuries ago should mean something.
She helped me understand that America is great not because it is perfect but because it can always be made better-and that the unfinished work of perfecting our union falls to each of us. It's a charge we pass on to our children, coming closer with each new generation to what we know America should be.
I hope both of you will take up that work, righting the wrongs that you see and working to give others the chances you've had. Not just because you have an obligation to give something back to this country that has given our family so much-although you do have that obligation. But because you have an obligation to yourself. Because it is only when you hitch your wagon to something larger than yourself that you will realize your true potential.
These are the things I want for you-to grow up in a world with no limits on your dreams and no achievements beyond your reach, and to grow into compassionate, committed women who will help build that world. And I want every child to have the same chances to learn and dream and grow and thrive that you girls have. That's why I've taken our family on this great adventure.
I am so proud of both of you. I love you more than you can ever know. And I am grateful every day for your patience, poise, grace, and humor as we prepare to start our new life together in the White House.
Love, Dad
Detroit Rising S.T.A.R.S. Program
Sis. LaTonya Barber
Director of Education and Community Programs
Detroit Rising S.T.A.R.S.
Detroit Rising S.T.A.R.S. (Students Together for Art, Rhythm and Song) is an educational program, which provides top-quality, hands-on performing arts eduction to youth ages 7-18. Through music and art education, youth learn to enhance their skills in piano, voice, poetry, drama, dance, sign language and more. The workshops offer supplemental music and art education for schools, youth centers and underserved youth in the Metro Detroit Area.
19785 West Twelve Mile, Suite 625
Southfield, MI 48076
Web: www.DetroitRisingStars.org
Developing K.I.D.S.
Fun workshops with SPORTS activities, ART, FOOD, COMMUNITY SERVICE hours, and more!
Middle school and high school on different days-call to find out your day
St. Suzanne Faith & Friendship Center
19231 West Chicago (Corner of Westwood - East of Evergreen)
Phone: 1-888-294-6554
CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE: www.DevelopingKids.org
This project was funded by a grant provided by a collaboration between Prevention Network and The Skillman Foundation as a part of their Good Neighborhoods Initiative. A goal of the Good Neighborhoods Initiative is to increase the ability of residents to address critical needs in their neighborhoods and communities on behalf of children.
Our Mission
Uniting women and teenage girls to impact their world is the heart beat of The S.I.S.T.A.H.S Ministry International through partnering together in ministries of evangelism and compassion to train, empower, inform and inspire.
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Make a commitment to donate $5.00 a month to the mission and vision of The SISTAHS Ministry in providing empowering, informative and inspiring events and experiences to victims of domestic violence, at-risk teenage girls, teenage mothers and homeless women/teens.
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Visit the Soul SISTAHS Cafe of Reading & Poetry
If you are, or were ever, a church-going woman, then there is a high likelihood that you have experienced some form of male chauvinism or sexism in the church. Some churches are not nearly as sexist and chauvinistic as others, but many churches have some degree of it.
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