Today we’d like to introduce you to Anette Bowser.
Anette, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Growing up I was a “bad kid.” I went wherever I wanted, did whatever I wanted and didn’t always make the right choices. I got into boys, drugs and alcohol at a very young age. While I had some teachers and administrators along the way who occasionally tried to point me in the right direction, I was rolling downhill fast. I had angels looking out for me though.
I still got into college, never had a problem getting a job, always excelled but on the inside, I was a mess. Long story short I found myself starting life over at 22 with two suitcases worth of possessions and back in my mother’s basement! As I pulled my life together, discovered myself, discovered love and value it was placed on my heart to work with young ladies of similar backgrounds so they didn’t have to have my same story. Enter Ladies Of ValuE.
Has it been a smooth road?
Definitely not a smooth road. I’ve suffered from clinical depression my whole life. It’s extremely hard to encourage others while you encourage yourself. I also have only worked part-time since I started LOVE because I need the freedom to be available during the school day. It’s next to impossible to survive in Denver on a PT income. So, I’ve had some financial struggles to overcome but it’s all for the cause!
We’d love to hear more about your organization.
Ladies of Value, LOVE, is a curriculum-based mentor program for girls that operates inside of schools as an enrichment, advisory, or elective program. We cover social skills, life skills and try to bridge the gap of missing materials between home and school. Our mission is to illuminate the value that is hidden within young girls through authentic life skills, one on one mentoring and programs designed to prepare the girls for the real world. The objective is to have well-rounded women in education, finances, self-presentation and life experiences, in addition to having a genuine love for self.
So far we’ve run LOVE in seven schools, all of our seniors graduate with a college acceptance and scholarships, teachers notice a behavior change in their students and the girls notice it too. We also do a community service project every year to teach civic duty and humility. In the last five years, we’ve collected and distributed socks and gloves directly to the streets for those in need and impacted approx. 550 people’s lives. LOVE becomes more than just a class as time goes on. The girls that didn’t like each other find ways to settle their issues, girls begin to express themselves in and healthy manner and we become a tight-knit class, family. The best part of this organization is keeping in touch with the young ladies that have moved on, seeing where they are in life and the personal growth.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
The thing I like best and least are the same. It’s our education system. I think there are a lot of people and organizations working hard to make Denver Public Schools great but there is such a lack of cohesion. If no one is on the same page then nothing can be accomplished.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.ladiesofvalue.com
- Phone: 7204706699
- Email: ladiezofvalue@gmail.com
- Facebook: facebook.com/ladiezofvalue
Image Credit:
Dava Media Group
Suggest a story: VoyageDenver is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
