I'M A CHARACTERTM
In Coordination with : Spalding Collaborative Spalding County Dept. of
Juvenile Justice
“I started as a ‘character’ but through the mentorship program with Smokey Page, I
have learned to be a man of character. Over the last 2 years, my business, Wash King -
through hard work and Smokey’s mentorship- has exceeded all expectations. We have
grown 100% in 24 months and now have 2 full-time trucks on the road. I’m A Character™
has taught me how to be a better father, son and business owner. I was also just approved
for a loan to be able to buy my family a home for the first time!”
-Jesse Manley
“A few months ago, I never would have imagined that I would be at this point today.
‘I’m A Character’ allows you to sit down and listening to everyone share their stories with no
pressure. Through learning each character trait, it helps you to set goals for yourself. The
program puts people from good backgrounds and not-so-good backgrounds together to help
better understand one another and in-turn understand yourself. It has made me motivated
enough to get not only a checking account set up, but also get my long-awaited driver’s
license! I’m very thankful for this program.”
-Cyle Norton
“I have learned a lot from this program. I have learned about taking responsibility
for my actions. It has taught me how to manage money- I have a checking account now,
which I have never had before. I’m paying my bills on time. I’ve also started going to
church. I’ve learned that I do not need drugs in my life to have a good time. I really enjoy
this program and hope it continues and that it can help others the way it has helped me.”
-Thomas D. Melvin Jr.
"Entering I'm A Character Youth Mentoring Program has been a life changing experience!!! I am so grateful that I was referred to this program for my son. I'm a single mother of three. Before we got into this program I was stressed and restless. My 14 year old became a high schooler and the trouble began. I was called to school daily for skipping, fighting, and being disrespectful to teachers and others. He had so much anger and attitude that things started to be scary at home. February 10, 2022 was a life changing experience when my son entered the program. Since then, he is a totally different kid. He's doing awesome in school, he actually likes playing football now, he's respectful toward himself and others, he has learned to control his anger way better and I am so proud of him. Every day I see change in him. I want to thank Robert for helping me get my son on the right track. I'm very grateful for this program. You are a god-send and I can't thank you enough for believing in my child's life and helping him get through this troubled time. In a short period of time, you worked a miracle and I can only imagine greatness from here on out!!!
-Melissa Blackburn June 8, 2022
"I met Smokey a little over 2 years ago and from the first time he saw me, he knew I was in a rough spot. I was using methamphetamines almost every hour on the hour and could not stop. Before meeting him, anything and everything coming between me and my next fix must go, including the job I was doing that day. I was being subbed out by Smokey working underneath a company whose owner was a mutual friend. I started that day with full intentions of nobody noticing how bad my using was because I kept it under wraps but it wasn't long before he noticed something was up. I wouldn't look him or anyone for that matter in the eyes when Smokey pulled me to the side to talk with me. Naturally I wasn't one to open up to him or anyone else since my using was embarrassing enough. But he let me know a little about what he does for the community and for people like me. He told me that everything will be OK and my life doesn't have to be like this anymore. I won't have to lie or hide. Up until that moment no one had ever cared enough to say anything. I was on my 3rd day of no sleep and was ready to wave the white flag. He told me his life story, I told him mine - right there on the job site while we watched the rest of the crew work. He didn't get mad that I had used on the job site, nor did he tell anyone what we talked about. I teared up because I have never felt such a feeling of embarrassment and relief at the same time. I knew I could lose my job. The guys were watching me talk to Smokey which wasn't supposed to happen, my boss didn't want me talk to him in fear of what I might say, but losing your job sucks - losing your life is permanent. On the route I was traveling it wouldn't be long before I became another statistic.
He kept in touch with me as I tried to get clean, introduced me to a sponsor, got me into Narcotics Anonymous and then I was able to start piecing my life back together. Now I currently hold a job with the county as a water plant maintenance guy. Don't get me wrong, I had some ups and downs along the way, but one call to Smokey proved to be the key in getting me sober. If he had not talked to me that day, I would not be here alive today. Truth be told, Smokey is straight-forward and if he wasn't it wouldn't have changed my life. He cares deeply about recovery and just wants you to understand your true potential as he sees it.
-C.Wilson June 27, 2022
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