By Mikala McCurry
Montgomery, AL- The Tie and Doll Organization is now accepting applications for the 2017-2018 school year. Established by Traci Howell, Executive Director, and Ronnie Doughty, Vice Board Chair, Tie and Doll is a nonprofit organization designed to mentor and positively impact the youth in Montgomery.
Howell and Doughty met at Alabama State University during their time in the Elite Models Organization. Years later, they reconnected and began reaching out to the youth in Montgomery through various organizations. They decided, in 2014, to branch out and create their own mentoring program, known as the Tie and Doll Organization.
Tie and Doll was designed with three main goals in mind: 1) Charity- partnering with local charities, businesses, and organizations to offer charitable giving; 2) Civics- creating a platform where youth can collaborate with professionals to perform community projects; and 3) Education- providing the youth with opportunities to enhance their leadership skills.
Within the Tie and Doll Organization, there are three main programs: All Tied Up, All Dolled Up, and Tie and Doll Teen Board. All Tied Up and All Dolled Up are community programs that invite youth ages 13-17 to participate in workshops that are centered around dressing professionally and making responsible choices.
Tie and Doll Teen Board is a youth volunteer program comprised of a diverse group of high school teens that desire to make a difference in the community while bettering themselves. According to Doughty, the ultimate goal of the Teen Board is to build confidence within the teens, help them to find their niche, and provide opportunities for networking. The members of the Teen Board participate in community service events and partner with local organizations, such as Hands On River Region, to positively transform the Montgomery area. In addition to community service, members of the Teen Board are also given the opportunity to enhance their natural talents through special events, such as fashion shows.
Ashlee Burke and Jade Marcum, members of the Teen Board, commented that being on the board has brought about many positive attributes, such as scholarships, professional connections, and new friends. Jillian Betts, a returning member of the Teen Board, says that participating in the Teen Board has allowed her to broaden her areas of expertise and try new experiences that she would not have attempted before becoming a Teen Board member.
In its next year, the Tie and Doll Organization is aiming to grow and expand. The leaders of the organization desire to implement more community service and special events as well as host a large fashion show that the members of the Teen Board will plan.
Applications 2017-2018 Teen Board are now open. To be eligible for the Teen Board, high school students ages 15-18 are required to complete the following criteria:
- Complete an application
- Write a personal biography (250 words max)
- Provide a letter of recommendation
- Submit a current photo
Applicants must also be able to attend at least 75% of the scheduled Teen Board meetings. The last day to apply is Friday, April 28, 2017. Completed applications can be submitted to:
Tie and Doll, Inc.
PO Box 241912
Montgomery, AL 36124
Or emailed to [email protected]
For more information on the Tie and Doll Teen Board, visit www.tieanddoll.org .
All rights reserved, Gumptown Magazine. Copyright 2017.
