Truly Valued Inc

Thank you for visiting Truly Valued's Give 8/28 page!

Truly Valued is a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering and equipping young individuals with the necessary skills and support to thrive as successful adults. Our purpose is to foster personal growth, develop essential life skills, and promote a strong sense of identity among youth and families.  All the money raised from Give 8/28 this year will go towards funding our I AM Academy. 

I AM Academy is a character and confidence building program for youth in ages 10-18 that meet weekly on various school campuses throughout Manatee and Sarasota Counties.  The I AM Academy aims to provide a multifaceted approach to empower at-risk youth, promote personal growth, and strengthen community bonds with local organizations, including law enforcement. The proposed program services include:

• Mentoring and Skill Development: We thoughtfully pair at-risk youth with dedicated mentors who will provide guidance, support, and constructive feedback. These mentors come alongside and help the participants develop essential life skills, including conflict resolution, communication, and decision-making.
• Academic Support: The program offers academic tutoring and homework assistance to ensure that the participants have the resources they need to excel in their studies and build a strong educational foundation. Positive high school graduation rates directly correlate with lower incidents of law enforcement interactions, historically.
• Conflict Resolution and Mediation: The program incorporates conflict resolution and mediation training to equip the youth participants with valuable tools to handle disagreements peacefully and constructively.

Success for I AM Academy participants is defined and determined by 80% of participants showing positive behavior changes in two or more of the four pillars of building character, confidence, education opportunities, and self-esteem and awareness. 

I AM Academy results as of April 2024- (11 sites)

• 96 of 112 (86%) named two things they learned that represented building character, confidence, opportunities, and self-esteem and awareness. 
• 96 of 112 (86%) indicated that they are doing something differently such as choosing better friends, improving their behavior and focusing on improving their grades. 
• 108 of 112 (96%) stated that they respect themselves more and are better aware of their surroundings as a result of what they learned.

Truly Valued was founded as a not-for profit 501(c)(3) organization by Shavonne Sams in 2016, leveraging her decade-long experience in the child welfare field. We are a compassionate organization dedicated to supporting at-risk youth and families in Manatee and Sarasota Counties, FL. Our mission is to promote positive self-esteem, education, confidence, and character among youth and families. 

Our organization's primary goal is to cultivate a positive and nurturing environment where young people can flourish and reach their full potential. Through a range of programs and initiatives, we aim to enhance their academic performance, boost employability, reduce recidivism, and improve overall well-being. We believe in nurturing the personal growth and self-discovery of young individuals. 

Truly Valued is committed to empowering young individuals, fostering personal growth, and equipping them with the skills needed to thrive in adulthood. Through our supportive programs, outcome tracking, follow-up surveys, and community engagement, we strive to make a lasting impact on the lives of the youth and adults that we serve.

To learn more, visit www.trulyvalued.org