Overview

Colleen Adams is saving lives. - Todd Bass, Miami Dade State Attorney's Office A raw and emotional account of one woman's dream to offer a path out of poverty and crime, proving that one drop, even in the ocean, creates an expanding ripple. Imagine a world where children's role models are drug addicts and criminals. Where attending funerals of their friends seems as commonplace as hanging out at the mall and taking out the trash might result in being shot to death. Where electricity and functional plumbing aren't guaranteed. Is this some war-torn country or maybe a struggling third world nation? No. Such is the life of poverty-stricken inner city AMERICA. By stark contrast, Colleen Adams hailed from the racially segregated south in the 1940's and climbed her way to the elite end of the social scale. But after accomplishing hollow success as a fashion and publishing marketing executive, Colleen heeded her life's calling to tackle the hopelessness and despair of disenfranchised inner-city young men. But could one person provide the means for youth from the most crime-ridden and poverty-stricken neighborhoods to actually achieve the American Dream? With incredible insight and determination, Colleen carved an innovative path of hope by establishing Empowered Youth USA, but was ultimately forced to choose between the young men she had come to love and the financial security of her lucrative career. Would she turn her back on the boys? Hope in the Hood is the inspiring true story of one woman's improbable dream to offer a brighter future for struggling inner city young men. Author Shirley Alarie conveys the raw and emotional struggles and successes through the voices of the young men, and the magic as seen through their mentors and judicial system experts. Accolades from Criminal Justice Experts Valuable judicial insight is provided by criminal justice experts Carlos Martinez, Chief Public Defender, Miami-Dade County; Todd Bass, Miami-Dade State Attorney's Office: Juvenile Division; and Marie Osborne, Chief Assistant Public Defender. Foreword by Dave Lawrence, Jr. Insightful foreword contributed by nationally recognized children's advocate and retired Miami Herald publisher. Check out the book trailer! https: //youtu.be/-x2HRVLOGKE

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In her new book Hope in the Hood, Shirley Alarie tells the story of Empowered Youth USA with honesty and affection. Alarie's clear and direct writing introduces readers to extraordinary people like EY's founder Colleen Adams, who stepped away from a life of privilege and material wealth in order to create options and hope for at-risk youth. This step involved delving into neighborhoods of perpetual poverty where so many young people seemed destined for prison, drug addiction and death. Through Ms. Adams' vision, persistence and tireless efforts, Empowered Youth USA became a viable option to jail. More than this, through the work of Colleen Adams and the mentors at EY, young men like Andre and Darius learn that they have something to offer to others and that their lives can make a difference in the world. Hope in the Hood includes segments written by EY mentors who relate their own challenges and sense of inadequacy regarding their work. Again, what makes Alarie's book so compelling is its honesty. Readers will feel an instinctive empathy for Colleen Adams, the mentors and the young people they work with, however Hope in the Hood also reveals a higher truth. Poverty is exposed as the worst form of violence in this powerful book, because poverty creates a destructive cycle of insecurity, single-parent households, violence and hopelessness. Shirley Alarie's book about Empowered Youth USA reminds us that through the work of innovative and compassionate people, light can overcome the darkness. - Will Duchon, Amazon reviewer I've seen the difference the Empowered Youth approach makes in the lives and futures of young people. Impressive. Colleen Adams' vision is present -- always. - Dave Lawrence, Jr. Retired Miami Herald publisher and nationally known children's advocate. Colleen Adams is saving lives. Few other programs stem the tide of crime like Empowered Youth does. - Todd Bass, Miami Dade State Attorney's Office: Juvenile Division Colleen Adams gives her all to the Empowered Youth program, offering a positive alternative to the pressing inner city conundrum. - Carlos Martinez, Chief Public Defender, Miami Dade County Colleen Adams has replicated a tried and true methodology. She may not have a string of pearls but she's got some of the very key pearls. My experience tells me she has the key pieces needed to turn things around in these kids' lives. Our job now would be to make it longer and more consistent, more available to other children. - Marie Osborne, Chief Assistant Public Defender, Miami Dade County

In her new book Hope in the Hood, Shirley Alarie tells the story of Empowered Youth USA with honesty and affection. Alarie's clear and direct writing introduces readers to extraordinary people like EY's founder Colleen Adams, who stepped away from a life of privilege and material wealth in order to create options and hope for at-risk youth. This step involved delving into neighborhoods of perpetual poverty where so many young people seemed destined for prison, drug addiction and death. Through Ms. Adams' vision, persistence and tireless efforts, Empowered Youth USA became a viable option to jail. More than this, through the work of Colleen Adams and the mentors at EY, young men like Andre and Darius learn that they have something to offer to others and that their lives can make a difference in the world. Hope in the Hood includes segments written by EY mentors who relate their own challenges and sense of inadequacy regarding their work. Again, what makes Alarie's book so compelling is its honesty. Readers will feel an instinctive empathy for Colleen Adams, the mentors and the young people they work with, however Hope in the Hood also reveals a higher truth. Poverty is exposed as the worst form of violence in this powerful book, because poverty creates a destructive cycle of insecurity, single-parent households, violence and hopelessness. Shirley Alarie's book about Empowered Youth USA reminds us that through the work of innovative and compassionate people, light can overcome the darkness. - Will Duchon, Amazon reviewer I've seen the difference the Empowered Youth approach makes in the lives and futures of young people. Impressive. Colleen Adams' vision is present -- always. - Dave Lawrence, Jr. Retired Miami Herald publisher and nationally known children's advocate. Colleen Adams is saving lives. Few other programs stem the tide of crime like Empowered Youth does. - Todd Bass, Miami Dade State Attorney's Office: Juvenile Division Colleen Adams gives her all to the Empowered Youth program, offering a positive alternative to the pressing inner city conundrum. - Carlos Martinez, Chief Public Defender, Miami Dade County Colleen Adams has replicated a tried and true methodology. She may not have a string of pearls but she's got some of the very key pearls. My experience tells me she has the key pieces needed to turn things around in these kids' lives. Our job now would be to make it longer and more consistent, more available to other children. - Marie Osborne, Chief Assistant Public Defender, Miami Dade County

Author Information

Once upon a time, cancer attacked Shirley Alarie's boobs. But instead of that experience ending her story, it actually opened up a whole new chapter. Her plot twisted shortly thereafter, and she dumped her harried industrial work setting for one that soothed her heart and not just her pocketbook. Since her breast cancer, she began living life with a heavy focus on making a positive difference. Perhaps her words could brighten this world in some small way. Writing became her new platform. Her cancer journey came to life in 'Losing the Girls - My Journey Through Nipple-Sparing Mastectomy and Beyond'. Her objective was to tell an entertaining story with a healthy dose of hope and education. Even though she had consulted medical experts, she stumbled upon the surgical technique of nipple-sparing mastectomy and vowed to educate other women in a way she hadn't been. With proactive awareness, women would be able to make fully informed decisions if the need ever arose. Her next book, 'The Road Paved in Pink - A Personal and Practical Guide for Breast Cancer Patients and Their Loved Ones', is strictly an educational tool for newly diagnosed cases. This guide resulted from a calling to pay forward the goodness she'd received during her own breast cancer experience. The LEMONS TO LEMONADE Series is her latest passion and she's thrilled to branch out into incredible, misunderstood, and inspirational avenues. Bringing inspirational books to a society deluged with negativity brings her great joy and fulfills her purpose. 'Losing the Girls' is the first installment, followed by 'A Healing Haven - Saving Horses and Humans at RVR Horse Rescue'. The book is an amazing testament to the healing power of love and it shines a spotlight on a worthy organization pulling out all the stops to save animals in need. Proceeds from each purchase benefit RVR. The third installment, 'Hope in the Hood - A U-Turn out of Inner City Poverty and Crime with Empowered Youth USA', is being published in April 2017. Go to ShirleyAlarie.com to see the inspiring book trailer and the fabulous 26-minute documentary, The Left Turn, created by Xiao Fang. Contact her at email lynnfang729@gmail.com. Proceeds benefit Empowered Youth USA and are being funneled toward their culinary center and cafe. In 2016, real-life Dominick the donkey inspired a children's 2-part book series, based on actual people, animals, and events at RVR Horse Rescue. 'A New Home for Dominick' opened the series with Dominick's rescue and finding a new best friend in the whole wide world, followed by his adoption in 'A New Family for Dominick'. Young animal advocates and their parents will find themselves cheering for a sweet little donkey. An added bonus is that proceeds from each purchase benefit RVR Horse Rescue. Join Shirley on Facebook at her 'Shirley Alarie Author' page or you can subscribe to her website at http: //shirleyalarie.com/ to receive updates on her new releases. Colleen Adams is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Empowered Youth. Colleen's professional background has come from her powerful executive experience in large corporations such as Ralph Lauren, Harper's BAZAAR Magazine and Perry Ellis International. As a former Fashion Industry and Publishing executive, Colleen was well prepared for the challenges of launching a non---profit, and the Job Development Program to train and employ our deserving inner---city young men. To supplement her experience, Colleen has worked diligently receiving Presidential Volunteer Awards, and in accordance with such non-profit organizations such as the Nelson Mandela Children's Fund. Colleen has dedicated her life to helping the young men of Empowered Youth. David Lawrence Jr. retired in 1999 as publisher of The Miami Herald to work in the area of early childhood development and readiness. He chairs The Children's Movement of Florida, aimed at making children the state's top priority for investment and decision-making. He has served on the Governor's Children and Youth Cabinet and twice chaired the Florida Partnership for School Readiness. In 2002 and 2008 he led successful campaigns for The Children's Trust, a dedicated source of early intervention and prevention funding for children in Miami-Dade. He is the founding chair. In 2002-3 he chaired the Governor's Blue Ribbon Panel on Child Protection, and in 2011 he chaired a similar panel for the Secretary of the Department of Children and Families. In 2002, he was a key figure in passing a statewide constitutional amendment to provide pre-K for all 4 year olds. He is the founding chair of the Early Learning Coalition of Miami-Dade and Monroe. The David Lawrence Jr. K-8 Public School opened in 2006. An endowed chair in early childhood studies is established in his name at the University of Florida College of Education. In 2015 he was appointed by the Governor to the Board of Trustees of Florida A&M University.

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