MACON, Ga. — Najiva Timothee saw a need for a mentoring program in Macon and she's fulfilling that need. She started the Girls Dig Deeper Initiative in 2018. Since then, she said she's mentored over 50 teen girls in Macon.
"A lot of the girls here in Macon, they don't have that support,” she said. “And so just knowing that I can be that support to them, be a big sister to them, just be of guidance and support to them. It feels good."
Timothee works at Mercer University's Law School. In her spare time, she uses her skills as a certified leadership coach and mentor to be someone her mentees can turn to.
"I wanted them to be able to understand who they are,” she said. “And I know that takes really looking within yourself. And so, digging deep, I feel like that's one of the things that is going to help you to know who you are as a person so you can shine on the outside of you.”
The Girls Dig Deeper mentoring group she started meets twice a month. She's also established it in four Bibb County Schools.
Joelie Watson is a sophomore at Central High School. She said being a part of girls dig deeper improved her mindset.
"It has made me more clear, more positive about myself and focusing more on the future for me," she said.
Timothee said the program focuses on mental health and planning for their futures. Centreace McCrea said she met Timothee about 7 years ago. She said she's benefited from the mentorship and meeting other mentees.
"Every time she brings in someone new, you get to watch all these new people learn more about themselves,” McCrea said. “And as they learn more about themselves, eventually they move on and they find better ways to do things so they move on in life."
This program is also a part of the Macon Violence Prevention efforts to reduce youth crime. Timothee said she teaches the girls about peaceful conflict resolution.
"I talk to the girls about having a positive mindset and understanding that there is a positive way to do anything,” she said. “Understanding that we have emotions, it's ok to have emotions. You feel angry, you feel mad at certain situations, but it's how you respond to those emotions is what matters."
Timothee said she hopes to expand the program to help more teen girls. You can learn more about this program on her Facebook page.