Jamie Harper

From the nominator:

“Miss Phoenix City Jamie Harper elected to increase the ability for TEARS to grow within our mentoring and coaching program in September of 2006. Since that time Jamie has successfully recruited volunteer mentors and coaches, designed and executed fundraisers to support after school programs for the youth involved in our mentoring program including organizing a benefit concert in our behalf that generated over $500 in funds, over 60 gifts donated to the youth we serve during Christmas as well as a network of future volunteers and contributors.

Jamie refused to stop there and continued to see the needs of our youth. Many of the youth who are mentored by TEARS are also attending our tutorial program; Jamie saw the need for these students to be supported academically. After speaking in our behalf to a local Motorcycle Ministry our tutorial students received 12 backpacks full of supplies valuing over $275. In addition to that donation, TEARS has also received request for additional information on our tutorial and mentoring services.

Jamie is personally involved in the youth we serve participating in award ceremonies, game planning in educational development and participating in Abstinence Pledges. The youth we serve have greatly benefited by the dedication and passion that Jamie exuberates in all she does. Jamie has been an instrumental part of the growth of TEARS. Within these last months we have been able to serve over 500 youth within the Russell County community and have grown to serve two additional counties.

Jamie understands that mentoring and coaching our youth involves more than just spending one hour a week with a child. To be effective it takes community support and awareness to the needs of the youth in the community. Jamie has used her personal influence within the community to speak out for the youth concerning issues of abstinence from drugs, alcohol and sex until marriage, child abuse awareness, literacy outreach, tutorial development and the need for after school services, she has talked on our behalf on the local radio stations, at teen summits and in local congregations.

Recently TEARS saw the need for more tutors to assist the youth after school, in a matter of moments Jamie was volunteering to personally tutor those youth. Jamie's dedication has taught many of us that you can always make time to serve our youth. Jamie managers to balance out a full school and work schedule, full time church duties and the responsibilities of being Miss Phoenix City. With all this on her plate she still makes time for that she is most concerned with, the character development of the youth of Phoenix City.

As a result of Jamie's continued support TEARS continues to provide wrap-around services for our youth. Jamie's referrals for funds and community support assisted TEARS in the implementation of three additional services to our youth; a dance program, literacy assistance services and an advance leadership program. We at TEARS know Jamie has truly been a blessing to our organization she and is most definitely a point of light within our nation.”