As one of ten children and living in a single-parent home, Aisha Abdullah spent much of her time caring for her ever-growing family.  With young brothers, sisters, nieces, and nephews that needed care, there were many school days missed and homework assignments left unfinished.  With so much on her plate, her first year of high school was marked by poor attendance, poor grades, and a poor attitude. Her older sisters provided no guidance, as they all had babies before they finished high school. Her retreat from family responsibilities was to run the streets.

Aisha’s turnaround came when she meandered into EducationWorks (EW) Beacon Center located in the Audenried High School, where she met staff member Bianca White.  Bianca saw a young woman headed for trouble. Her first move was to encourage Aisha to attend school every day. Aisha returned to the Beacon Center as often as she was able. The Aisha-Bianca dynamic clicked: “Bianca was my mentor; she was the older sister I was looking for.” With Bianca’s and the Beacon Center staff’s help and guidance, her school attendance dramatically improved. She joined the Audenried Beacon Center Youth Council and was elected its president. In that role she discovered that she was a natural leader and had the genuine desire to serve her community.

During her high school years, she joined EW’s YouthWorks program at the Beacon Center. This program provides academic support, leadership development, service learning activities, an d career and college exploration. YouthWorks provided a job each summer at one of its summer camps as a camp counselor; there were trips to college fairs and colleges.

“I really want them to see college as their next step.
I know the importance of being mentored in order to have a college education.
I refuse to gain mine and not help them obtain theirs.”

In 2004, Aisha graduated high school as the class salutatorian.  Among her academic and community awards at graduation were Perfect Attendance, Audenried Citizenship, Proficient in Math, Advanced in Reading, and Distinguished Honors. She was awarded a four-year full tuition scholarship to LaSalle University (the first in her family to do so), where her major is accounting and her minor is leadership and global understanding. 

During these years, she expanded her educational and community achievements in so many ways. She participated in numerous “Stop the Violence” rallies at city hall, school, and street marches. She attended a leadership summit in South Africa. She participated in a video documentary about conditions and opportunities in her neighborhood. She worked part time and helped to manage the Afro Brazilian Percussion Group. In college she has continued her summer employment as the payroll administrator for over 400 younger YouthWorks summer camp counselors. All along the way she met EW staff that challenged her to seek high goals and afforded her opportunities to attain them.

Now in her third year at LaSalle, Aisha has initiated her own College Mentoring Program for younger high school students.  The program currently helps 11 teenagers maintain good grades, build self-esteem, and develop important job readiness skills. At their weekly meetings, she offers constant encouragement. She prepares students to apply and adapt to college living and academic preparation. She helps them with job applications, college applications, and homework when necessary. She calls on parents and even visits students’ schools if she thinks she can help. When they join the program, she takes them under her wing.  “I really want them to see college as their next step. I know the importance of being mentored in order to have a college education. I refuse to gain mine and not help them obtain theirs.”

“My lucky day was when I entered the Beacon Center and met Bianca,” she says.  “I never could have done it without Bianca, Regina, Craig, Keith, Hugh—and the list goes on. It’s been hard at times. I’m really on my own; there’s always so much to do and I have so many responsibilities. But through all this I never have been alone. I hope there’s some special way I can find to thank all those who have guided and supported me. Maybe just living a good and productive life will do it.”