Each year, May is celebrated as Leaders of Tomorrow Month, or often referred to as Young Achievers Month. The month-long observance aims to help children become the best versions of themselves and start to develop aspirations of achieving greatness. The focus for the children is to become focused and independent leaders in both school and within their communities as well.
Connie Bobo, Founder of both New Heights Community Resource Center and Mind Your Mission, knows firsthand what it takes to devote oneself to their community. She serves as both a church and nonprofit consultant, helps guide at-risk youth and offers educational programming for business leaders seeking to upgrade their personal and professional lives as well.
Ms Bobo’s focuses are in nonprofit and humanitarian efforts. She has been guiding the underserved, underrepresented, and underprivileged with purpose for over two decades. Her efforts have proven to bridge the gap between communities and city leaders, while serving all walks of life, and ultimately battling poverty and inequality.
Speaking From Experience
Ms Bobo knows how to help youth and counter the inequalities that need to be addressed within the city because she has lived that life. In fact, she accepted the hand she was dealt and conquered hardships around every corner as she was growing up. Hence why she lives a life of purpose.
Numerous obstacles, hindering injustices, misfortunes, and formidable roadblocks made success look nearly impossible for Connie Bobo. “I knew my purpose out-weighed my pain. My determination to win had to overpower my fears, circumstances, doubts, and all the voices in my ear telling me “With all of your experience and education, I don’t know why you won’t just get a job. Starting a business isn’t for everyone.’”
“In spite of being car-less, sleeping on a cot in my sister’s basement for five years, four repossessions, and a chapter 7 bankruptcy, I still managed to build a $15,000,000 nonprofit, feed over 9,000 children every month for well over a year, assist numerous underprivileged youth with starting a home library, help over 100 minority small business and nonprofit leaders with startup and sustainability plans, and what’s most rewarding and heart-warming- I was able to watch kids who were kindergarteners when they started with me attend their senior proms, earn their high school diplomas, journey off to college on a partial or full ride scholarship, and start families of their own.”
“I don’t have any children of my own, but I certainly understand a mother’s pride! Nothing can replace that feeling of seeing your babies become the next leader and I am honored to have been a part of that. It made every loss, every growing pain, and every trial so worth it!”
If I’ve learned nothing else from my journey, I’ve learned:
1. Respect The Process: Every trial has led to the most amazing testimony. And without trials, there are no testimonies. I’m grateful to be the vessel God chose to use.
2. Pain Produces Purpose: We can’t stop because it hurts or embarrasses us. The race isn’t given to the swift or the strong. It’s given to the ones who endure until the end.
3. Success Is Failing Forward: Success is measured by how far you’re willing to go- how many times you will get back up after falling. We all want the glory, but those of us who have obtained it- know that it won’t come without the story! As I observe people experiencing great success, I often find myself thanking God for their ability to stay the course.
These are lessons that I am certain to communicate to any youth or community leaders that I coach.
Beyond Recognition
The New Heights Community Resource Center (NHCRC) devotes itself to helping lessen the impact of adverse childhood experiences. It crafts opportunities for all youth to find security and success in the St. Louis, Mo., metropolitan area. Additionally, it features powerful innovative and community-centric programs and services to help youth overcome obstacles in life and guide them to find their respective purpose.
As a result, NHCRC was once again, for the third-consecutive year, named a ‘Top-Rated Nonprofit’ by Great Nonprofits, the top community recommendations website for both nonprofits and charitable organizations.
One thing is for sure, Ms Bobo is a leader for tomorrow and if people like her are helping guide troubled youth and those trying to find their way in the world, we are going to be just fine.
About Connie Bobo
Connie Bobo, CEO of Mind Your Mission, helps nonprofit organizations increase their sustainability and helps them secure long-term funding. She has helped dozens of churches and nonprofits increase their capacity, secure funding, and drive impact in their community.
Ms Bobo is proud to announce the recent acquisition of an early childhood education center where she will continue to pour into the lives of children ages 6 weeks through 12 years. To stay informed on upcoming projects and developments Ms Bobo is working on, be sure to follow her on Facebook and Instagram or visit Mind Your Mission’s website.