Precious Gems
Phenomenal, Radiant, Enduring, Courageous, Intellectual, Outstanding, Unique, Sisters. Grounded & Enriched by Morals & Standards
Our vision is to provide a positive and nurturing environment for young girls as they become precious gems while staying in school, excelling academically and go on to college to become successful young women.
" We believe that strong, confident girls of today become strong, confident leaders of tomorrow. "
About Us
Mission Statement
To provide a fun, safe, supervised environment for recreational and educational activities, where pre teen/teenage girls 12-17 who need us the most, can develop self esteem, self awareness, self worth, and the qualities needed to become caring, successful & responsible young women.
We seek to increase the educational achievements of pre teen/teenage girls, encourage critical thinking, teach leadership skills, and the importance of community involvement. Precious Gems also teaches life skills and provides resourceful information that will build confidence and self-esteem. Our Mentor Program provides positive female role models and strong support structures to motivated pre teen/teenage girls who are ready to explore who they are and discover their self worth.
The Program
Precious Gems offers a full-service mentoring package that provides girls with life tools to handle many of todays challenges. Using role play, individual and group activities, and open discussion, the program walks the young women through ways to respond to uncomfortable situations, including how to deal with bullies, dating violence, body image, teen sexuality & pregnancy, etiquette, cars & driving, drug use & prevention, etc.
Precious Gems Core Values
Mentor Program Goals
-Increase girls' sense of self worth
-Improve girls' perspective toward education
-Help girls develop and define their short-term and long-term goals
-Encourage social awareness through community service projects
-Build positive relationships and support networks with adults and peers
-Confidence and Self-Esteem
-Health and Wellness
-Physical Fitness and Nutrition
-Anti-Drug
-Anti-Gang
-Financial Literacy
-Team Work
-Commitment
-Respect
Meetings
Book Schedule
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Monthly Mentoring Meetings
2nd Saturday of Each Month
11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
All participants will receive a journal to write in, when they attend the next group session we will discuss some of the things that they had to deal with and come up with successful ways to handle these issues.
Each Gem will participate in community service events that are scheduled by the group.
There will be a comment sheet available for our Gems to inform us about certain activities they would like us to do.
During the year the Gems will have two retreats planned one in the Summer Season, and the other will be in the winter. All Gems are required to participate in the fund raising events and raise a certain amount of money to attend the retreats.
During our time in the Community all Gems are required to where our logo shirts which can be purchased from a Staff member.
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Our February meeting will be held on the 12th. We will be meeting at Walls Memorial AME Zion Church 2722 Bancroft st, between Graham & North Tryon street, Charlotte, NC 28206.
Books
Back
We will be discussing the following books.
Kimani Tru Books
Author: Earl Sewell
Keysha Series
Order in which to read the series
1.Keysha's Drama by Earl Sewell (Oct. Book)
2.If I Were Your Boyfriend by Earl Sewell (Nov. Book)
3.Lesson Learned by Earl Sewell (Dec. Book)
4.Decision Time by Earl Sewell (Jan. Book)
Galleries
Facts
Teenage Violence
In a nationwide survey, 17% of students reported carrying a weapon (e.g., gun, knife, or club) on one or more days in the 30 days preceding the survey.
Among students nationwide, 33% reported being in a physical fight one or more times in the 12 months preceding the survey.
Nationwide, 9% of students reported being hit, slapped, or physically hurt on purpose by their boyfriend or girlfriend in the 12 months prior to being surveyed.
Groups at Risk of Teen Violence:
Of the 5,486 homicides reported in the 10 to 24 age group in 2001, 85% (4,659) were males and 15% (827) were females.
A nationwide survey found male students (41%) more likely to have been involved in a physical fight than female students (25%) in the 12 months preceding the survey.
A nationwide survey found female students (12%) more likely than male students (6%) to have been forced to have sexual intercourse. (Teen Violence and youth violence information obtained from CDC)
Occurrence of Teen Violence and Consequences of Teen Violence:
In 2007, more than 877,700 young people ages 10 to 24 were injured from violent acts. Approximately 1 in
13 required hospitalization.
Teen Violence causes, incidence, and risk factors.
Homicide is the second leading cause of death among young people ages 10 to 24 overall. In this age group, it is the leading cause of death for African-Americans, the second leading cause of death for Hispanics, and
the third leading cause of death for American Indians, Alaskan Natives, and Asian Pacific Islanders.
In 2008, 5,486 young people ages 10 to 24 were murdered, an average of 15 each day.
In 2009, 79% of homicide victims ages 10 to 24 were killed with firearms.
Teenage Stress
Teen stress is very common among the adolescents today.
According to a 2008 local high school survey of 815 students that participated, 70 percent said they were "stressed out".
Just being a teenager can be very stressful. There is so much going on and so many changes happening all
at once! Some causes of teen stress are: school work load, poor self image, problems with friends, peer
pressure, not fitting in, parents divorcing, death of a loved one, moving or changing schools, taking on too
many activities at once, problems at home, and feeling lonely.
Signs of Teen Stress:
1. Feeling down, on edge, guilty or tired;
2. Having headaches, stomach aches, trouble sleeping;
3. Wanting to be alone all the time;
4. Not enjoying activities you used to enjoy;
5. Feeling resentful of others;
6. Feeling like you have too many things you have to do.
Teen stress can lead to more serious problems. Struggling with major teen stress and low self-esteem
issues can lead to more serious problems such as teen eating disorders, hurting your self, teen depression,
alcohol abuse and drug abuse, and even teen suicide. (Teen Stress Sources: Department of Health National
Women's Health Information Center)
Teenage Pregnancy
The United States has the highest rates of teen pregnancy and births in the western industrialized world.
Teen pregnancy costs the United States at least $7 billion annually.
Thirty-four percent of young women become pregnant at least once before they reach the age of 20 -- about
820,000 a year. Eight in ten of these teen pregnancies are unintended and 79 percent are to unmarried teens.
The teen birth rate has declined slowly but steadily from 1991 to 2004 with an overall decline of 30 percent
for those aged 15 to 19. These recent declines reverse the 23-percent rise in the teenage birth rate from
1986 to 1991. The largest decline since 1991 by race was for black women. The birth rate for black teens
aged 15 to 19 fell 42 percent between 1991 to 2002. Hispanic teen birth rates declined 20 percent between
1991 and 2002. The rates of both Hispanics and blacks, however, remain higher than for other groups.
Hispanic teens now have the highest teenage birth rates. Most teenagers giving birth before 1980 were
married whereas most teens giving birth today are unmarried.
The younger a teenaged girl is when she has sex for the first time, the more likely she is to have had
unwanted or non-voluntary sex. Close to four in ten girls who had first intercourse at 13 or 14 report it was
either non-voluntary or unwanted. (Teen Pregnancy information obtained from The National Campaign to Prevent
Teenage Depression
What is Teen Depression?
Most of us feel sad or unhappy at various times in our life, but teenage depression that extends for a longer
length of time (usually more than 2 weeks) and that interferes with our daily life is considered to be major
depression. This type of teen depression is one that isn't to be taken lightly and should be treated as early as
possible to prevent further problems.
Studies and statistics show that approximately 1 in 8 adolescents may be suffering from depression, a very
scary statistic. Even more frightening is that only 30% of these children who are suffering emotional/mental
turmoil are receiving any treatment for it.
School Bullying
What is school bullying?
Bullying includes a wide variety of behaviors, but all involve a person or a group repeatedly trying to harm
someone who is weaker or more vulnerable. It can involve direct attacks (such as hitting, threatening or
intimidating, maliciously teasing and taunting, name-calling, making sexual remarks, and stealing or damaging
belongings) or more subtle, indirect attacks (such as spreading rumors or encouraging others to reject or exclude
someone).
Almost 30 percent of teens in the United States (or over 5.7 million) are estimated to be involved in school
bullying as either a bully, a target of teen bullying, or both. In a recent national survey of students in grades 6 to
10, 13 percent reported bullying others, 11 percent reported being the target of school bullies, and another 6
percent said they bullied others and were bullied themselves.
Founders/CEOs
Mrs. Martha Perez-Moffatt & Ms. Tierra Parsons, are Founders of “Phenomenal, Radiant, Enduring, Courageous, Intellectual, Outstanding, Unique, Sisters. Grounded & Enriched by Morals & Standards” or Precious Gems Program, nonprofit mentoring program based in Mecklenburg County for pre teen/teenage girls ages 12 to 17 years old. With an all volunteer staff, the organization provides guidance, support, and encouragement to young ladies facing the challenges and responsibilities of everyday home, social and school life. The program seeks to show young girls a world beyond their block or neighborhood ripe with opportunities that are theirs for the taking by standing strong in their belief in themselves and avoiding people and situations that could divert them from a positive path. Martha & Tierra are very passionate about empowering our future leaders. Realizing young girls today are growing up in a different day & time than the one in which they were raised in, they decided to make a difference in their community and put their passion and creativity into action. These two women realized by mentoring our young ladies at an early age they could have an enormous impact on them as they grow into young women.
Mrs. Martha Perez-Moffatt
Ms. Tierra Parsons
has a natural gift that cannot be taught or purchased in any store. Her passion for making a difference in the lives of women and children in need has been evident over the years through her community work. During the past five years Martha has spent most of her free time advocating for rape and domestic violence victims, she has also spent countless hours teaching young girls in her community about image, personal hygiene, being responsible and respectful, and to always carry themselves as ladies. In 2010 Martha decided there was such a great need beyond the young girls she was already helping, and decided to start a mentoring group for young girls in the transition stage 12-17 called “Precious Gems”.
My vision is to empower, nurture, and inspire young girls during their transition stage through, life skill coaching and mentoring. Martha has dedicated and devoted her time to adolescent girls of Precious Gems, assisting them with their personal, emotional, and social needs and welcomes your assistance. In addition, she provides mentoring workshops and group session to adolescent girls within Precious Gems.
Martha Perez Moffatt is a Mentor, Advocate, Loving wife and Mother. She is a nine year veteran of the Business Management Industry, having owned and operated her Wedding consulting business for the past four years. Currently she is obtaining a degree in Social work from Queens University. Martha is committed to making a difference in her community, after a tragic event in her life she decided to use what she endured as an inspirational tool to teach young girls no matter what cards you are dealt in life, your future depends on your desire and motivation to reach beyond your grasp.
is a native of Taylorsville, North Carolina. She began her academic career at Winston-Salem State University where she received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology. Upon completing her undergraduate studies, she worked with the North Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention where she worked with delinquent teens. The journey for Ms. Parsons continued to Baltimore, Maryland where she completed her graduate studies at The University of Maryland, Baltimore School of Social Work. While in Maryland she gained experience in the Baltimore City Public School System working primarily with academically challenged, homeless children who had difficulties managing their behavior. Her experience continued at the Baltimore Child Abuse Center and later with the Iredell County Department of Social Services foster care division. Ms. Parsons is now a therapist at a private mental health agency in Charlotte, North Carolina where she works with children that have mental health diagnosis. Ms. Parsons enjoys working with the youth of her church and being a strong example for her teenage sister.
The primary concentration of her career focuses on the well-being of families and children. Her motto is, “Even if I don’t make a worldwide difference, I hope that I can be an inspiration to one”. Working with young teenage girls has been one of the most enjoyable experiences of her career. Ms. Parsons realizes that young women account for a large percentage our future leaders and without the proper guidance and support, they will be unequipped with the skills needed to succeed and prosper. Her vision for the Precious Gems initiative is to be able to serve as a genuine inspiration in hopes to impart confidence, inspire leadership and ensure that these young ladies understand the true meaning of love, happiness and determination. ….. “One Love, One Heart, One Faith”. –TMP
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Thank You to Our Supporters!
Precious Gems Joins Dove Self Esteem Movement, watch video for more info!
Afro Puffs and Ponytails
16" x 20" Original Acrylic Painting of a Pink Dove! Artist: Tamara McWilliams who lives in Las Vegas Nevada. Painted this lovely Dove Named Precious after the Mentoring Group, in honor of Precious Gems!
Afro Puffs and Ponytails is a positive website that provides encouraging articles, events, program listings, and resources for African American/Black teen girls, young girls, and their parents.
AfroPuffsandPonytails.com
Contact Us
PreciousGemsMentoring_yahoo.com
PO Box 43349
Charlotte, NC 28215
Martha Perez-Moffatt
(704) - 606-7961
marthaperez79_yahoo.com
Tierra Parsons
(336) - 655-5268 tierramparsons_yahoo.com
Make a Donation
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Attention Parents
Precious Gems will be introducing a new addition to their family. A group for the younger girls 6-11 yrs old, Called "Pearls" . The kickoff celebration will be held this Saturday: February 26th 10-12pm.
The Kickoff Celebration will be held at: 2722 Bancroft st Charlotte, NC 28206
The mission of Pearls, a sister group of Precious Gems Mentoring, is to serve as a catalyst to embrace, educate and empower the well-being of girls through a variety of programs and enrichment activities that build self-esteem, character and leadership skills.
