Reflecting back empowers us to move forward.
Community leaders share advice they would give their younger selves with the hope of inspiring someone facing similar challenges.
Breanna C. Johnson
(Poet & Advocate, Poetz Portal)
“I wish you knew that you are destined for greatness and this moment is just the beginning of your rebirth.”
At 17 I did not fully recognize the strength I had to carry on after being sexually assaulted. Now at 28, my poetry and advocacy is an ode to 17-year-old Bre and a continuation of her legacy.
Irene Paxia
(Executive Director, The Language Access Lab)
“I wish you knew that you are right: you should follow your values and do what you think is right, not just what is easy or convenient. It will be rewarding. Be yourself and remember to breathe as you go. The journey is long - trust your process, your vision, and lean on others. You are loved.”
Allison Nicklin
(Director of Project Management, JH Specialty, Inc.)
“I wish you knew that it's ok to ask for help. It doesn't diminish you being a strong, independent woman to ask for help when you need it.”
As an only-child I often did things on my own, which has bled into my adult life. Asking for help feels like the opposite of that independence I grew up with. However, nobody can do it alone and it doesn't make you any less to ask for help. It can free you up to be more uniquely you.
Edwin Chow
(Owner, Summit City Climbing Co.)
“I wish you knew it was okay to ask for help.”
Life is hard and it's meant to be lived in community.
Jenee Johnson
(Teacher, FWCS)
“I wish you knew that all the unique things about you make you an original. Own your uniqueness!”
Cheryl Schmandt
(Owner/CEO, Dynamic Solutions 2 Bookkeeping LLC)
“I wish you knew you were enough, worthy, and valuable.”
I didn’t always feel this way about myself.
Paula Hughes-Schuh
(CEO, YWCA Northeast Indiana)
“I wish you knew that you were doing the right things all along. You grew up to be exactly who you wanted to be.”
Mitch McKinney
(Detective Sergeant, Fort Wayne Police Department)
“I wish you knew that there is a bigger world and you are good enough to make a difference early in life.”
Life was a struggle in a low income household with 5 siblings. Lots of love and faith carried us through. Find your way and know that you can have the successful life you want. It is not a dream, it is a goal. Achieve it!
Lydia Young
(Retired QC and Sunday School Teacher | Business Owner of Be Happy Puppets)
“Lydia, I wish you knew that you shouldn’t have trusted your wisdom as an 18-year-old girl in love and you should have listened to your uncle.”
Be open to guidance from those who care about you, they often have your best interests at heart. Listening to my uncle could have saved me 26 years of heartache.
Amy Hanna
(VP and Chief Development Officer, Fort Wayne Museum of Art)
“I wish you knew that you are valuable, that your life is important, and that you matter.”
As a child, I questioned my worth and if my life really mattered. As an adult, I can't imagine this world without me in it. I now know my value and make it my life mission to help others to see their value too.
Brett Gauger
(Marketing Communications Specialist, Elevatus Architecture)
“I wish you knew--purpose is lived. Every day is a chance to make someone feel seen, valued, and welcomed. Make the days count. Bring positivity to the surface, even in small ways. Your kindness matters. Your light makes an impact. Be the reason someone believes in good again.”
This is meaningful to me because we never know the battles others face. When we lead with grace, hope, and determination, we grow together. We move forward. Purpose is injected into everything we do. Let's support passion and put it to power.
Julian Teekaram
(Journalist, WPTA-TV)
“I wish you knew that you’re on your own timeline and that whatever is meant for you will happen at the right time!”
Mayor Sharon Tucker
(City of Fort Wayne)
“I want you to know that you don’t have to worry about what people think! You’ve spent so much time as the younger you worrying about what people will think but I want you to show up authentically and just be yourself. The world will accept you for who you are because of the gifts you have to bring to the conversation. And you don’t have to worry about being perfect, you don’t have to worry about having on the right clothes, and you don’t have to worry about your size being just the right size. Just show up every day authentically as you are.”
Tabitha DeSeranno
(Web Designer, Spark & Soul Design Studio)
“I wish you knew that the version of you that you’re becoming… She’s worth the struggle.”
If I could sit down with 17-year-old me, scared, exhausted, and holding a newborn in her arms, I’d tell her this:
1. You are not a failure. Being a teen mom doesn’t define you... what you do next does.
2. You are stronger than you think. Life is about to test you in ways you can’t imagine, but trust me... you’ll keep standing.
3. You don’t have to have it all figured out today... You’ll change your major 5 times. You’ll start a business you never planned for. You’ll grow into someone you never expected to be. And one day? You’ll build a life you’re truly proud of.
Life is full of twists and turns but we are resilient and can overcome all the obstacles it decides to throw at us. My journey from teen mom to CEO has most definitely had its ups and downs but in the end, it's all worth it.
Jackie Stancil
(Executive Director, Career Development Center, Purdue Fort Wayne)
“I wish you knew the power of the word ‘should.’ Every time you think ‘what should I do?’ you’re allowing others to make the decision for you.”
When you say “should” you’re giving the power to someone else. Trust yourself.
Emma Walker
(Sexual Violence Coordinator, YWCA Northeast Indiana)
“I wish you knew your resilience and empathy are gifts, not hindrances.”
Growing up I despised these two qualities about myself, but today I choose to view them as superpowers. They are the reason I am here and whole.
Anthony Juliano
(VP/GM, Asher Agency)
“I wish you knew that it was all going to work out and that most of the things you worried about were never going to happen and that life would bring you so much more than you could ever imagine.”
I grew up with a number of serious challenges so I was almost constantly anxious. But thanks to some good people and a little perseverance, I've been very fortunate to have a pretty incredible life.
Aisha Diss
(Executive Director, project.ME)
“I wish you knew that honoring yourself is the key. When you do, everything else will fall into place.”
I am a person in long term recovery and not honoring myself kept me stuck in unhealthy patterns for far too long.
Whitney Bandemer
(Principal, WB Consulting, LLC)
“I wish you knew that joy, happiness, and success in life is more about going with the flow than it is designing and running a perfect plan.”
Life happens in the detours, embrace and maximize the unexpected remembering that the beautiful lotus grows from the dirtiest mud.
Kathy Gaines
(Retired Educator, FWCS)
"I wish you knew that it's always okay to be yourself and speak your truth. You no longer have to be silent to make others comfortable."
Sometimes it’s hard to speak your truth because we don’t want to make others uncomfortable. However, your truth is what defines you and altering that will not give an authentic view of who you are. I have learned over the years that authenticity is very important and I can’t be quiet so that you can be comfortable.
Anthony Petruzzelli
(Professional Hockey Player, Fort Wayne Komets)
"I wish you knew that all your hard work would pay off."
My younger self would be so proud to know that his hard work resulted in the opportunity to play hockey for a living! There were many times I doubted all the extra effort I was putting in and I wish I could tell him it's worth it. My hope is to instill a strong work ethic and 'never give up' attitude that becomes a habit both on and off the ice in the kids I coach.
TC Spellman
(Education Coordinator, YWCA Northeast Indiana)
"I wish you knew how many people you're going to make smile one day."
Candice Hall
(Director of Clinical & Recovery Services, YWCA Northeast Indiana)
"I wish you knew that the way other people see you does not define who you are."
Diamond Mims
(Children's Services Coordinator, YWCA Northeast Indiana)
"I wish you knew life would not be easy, but don't give up. Keep going. You have great things to accomplish."
Your resilience will be your strength. Don't try to fit in when you were born to stand out. You will be a beacon of light for others. Speaking to your inner child is a great way to heal inner wounds or bring forth trauma that you may not realize was there. Speak to your inner child.
Dave Shadburne
(President & CEO, MidWest America Federal Credit Union)
"I wish you knew that it's okay to work hard, but don't let work define you. And also, It's okay to set your own priorities and your own path to success. You don't have to let others do that for you."
This advice will lead to greater levels of satisfaction and happiness with lower levels of stress.
Sydney Kent
(Community Educator, YWCA Northeast Indiana)
"I wish you knew you become the person that you needed."
Dear younger me: I wish you knew that at this age, you were just learning how the world worked. You were not a burden. And though life will get harder before it gets better, I want you to know it's going to be okay. You become the person you needed one day.
Carla Kilgore
(Director of Mission Advancement, YWCA Northeast Indiana)
"I wish you knew that your strong sense of right and wrong is a gift and even when it makes you or other people uncomfortable, it's good to share."
I want to help build a future where all children grow up knowing that those impulses towards right and wrong, compassion, and justice are important guides to hold onto throughout the hard times, and those values help make our community better.