Celebrating the Creativity of our Youth
Madona Cole-Lacy Connects Dots of Creativity and Service
My inspiration came from several places. As a little girl who was
born and raised in Sierra Leone, West Africa, I watched my
parents address the needs of community members in so many
ways that I imagine I grew up
thinking that outreach was a
natural phenomenon of life. In the
interest of full disclosure, I must
state that my great-grandmother,
(Big Granny) was most family and
community-oriented too!
The connection is quite clear to me
for, I developed into an adult with a
desire to do that which I witnessed around me as a little girl - with
highly motivated and community-oriented family members as my
role models.
Thank You, Mama and Papa…for your support and for incessantly supplying the earthly wind
beneath my wings over the years. I will forever value and hold dear, the wisdom you continue to share with me.
Also a big part of my inspiration has come from my heightened awareness of on-going self-improvement for all, and a need to share with
others solutions to obstacles I have encountered in my adult life.
These lessons and experiences from my personal journey through life
as a teacher, a parent /one-time single parent divorcee, and as one who
was brought up with a strong sense of cultural identity and respect for my
fellow human beings; have contributed tremendously to what has inspired
me to "take action" to empower others.
Thank You, Jim Lacy, my other half, co-laborer in all areas of my life,
and ultimate cheerleader! I thank your parents for the good breeding, and thank
you even more so for accepting and making it work for you. I thank you for
understanding my desire to dream, and for helping me implement my visions,
no matter how “impossible” they may appear at first glance.
Thank You My Children...for the wealth of knowledge you have engendered in me. You have
undoubtedly served as the catalyst for my work with other children and families. I could not have
asked for a better on-the-job training. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to specialize in you.
You are simply priceless !
“ I am looking forward to the day when PRD 101 ( P arental Responsibilities Demystified ) will be offered
alongside the 3 R ’ s at schools as a way to bridge the inevitable communication gap that accompanies the
navigation process into adolescence and the eventual adulthood of our children ” -Madona Cole-Lacywww.yourtimeforcreativeempowerment.org
(516) 783-9178
www.yourtime4liny.org