I wish you knew…

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.


 

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.