EBN #11 Angela Barkley

Written by Crystal Walker

Mrs. Angela Barkley, well to the others she’s known as Coach. Angie or Ms. Angie is a person of great statue and integrity. Working in the corporate world most of her life, she saw a lot through her years. As an executive manager at Kroger, she was involved with different programs through her job to help children. Although this was all volunteer work through churches, different fundraisers, and there were many people that helped out, but she saw that there was a lack of adults who actually cared and Ms. Angie had a deeper passion for helping children with their futures.

Ms. Angie felt she could do more with her life towards helping others who couldn’t. With help from her supportive husband she was able to quit her corporate job and become a full time youth engagement specialist as a non profit. Now this title holds quite the responsibility or should I say Ms. Angie holds her title to a whole other level. When it comes to children today there are all types of stories that come with them. Some come from homes where the parents don’t care about the child or the child’s well-being. While others may come from a home where there is only one parent who works and tries to give their child everything they need, but still lack in the quality time. This is where Ms. Angie comes in, at the Oasis Center; she counsels boys and girls from the ages of 6-8 years of age. She not only counsels these young boys and girls but she gives them a hand to count on; someone whom they can really trust and confide in. Ms. Angie is all about coaching young boys and girls for life. Teaching young girls that there is more to them than their bodies. Showing young boys they way of life through education. Even though she counsels 6-8 year olds, she is with them all through their high school years on to college. All the kids have to do is stay in touch, show progress reports throughout the year and she is there. From helping with college to any trade the children may prefer, she works with them. A program called T.O.P. (Team Outreach Program) help place kids into college or however they choose to further their education. They hold drives such as “Prom Dress Drive”. It is where the girl would take old high school dresses from donations and distribute them to 3 local high schools to students who were less fortunate. They would hold appreciation days for teachers, and held a Voter’s Day for all the voters; they passed out appreciation bags just for voting. Ms. Angie said that kids who engage in community service will have more compassion in their hearts and begin to care. They will also make better and wise decisions as young adults. She teaches kids throughout her program everything thing when it comes to life as a child, teen, and young adult. She engages in talks about pre-marital sex, teen pregnancy, etc. Coach Angie definitely coaches these young kids into becoming young successful adults. If it means helping them out of her own pocket then she finds ways. Now, not only do the children respect her, but parents also show her a great multitude of respect. With parents just knowing that their child can confide in someone so openly and copiously makes them more at ease. At the end of the day Ms. Angie shines her love through all these kids and that makes her life full.