It all started when...

Dawn Hoffman has always liked to help others and it continues to be her passion. The idea to start, A Walk In My Shoes, was inspired by the kids she has met through volunteering and her personal story.  Dawn was considered “at risk” in school.  Dawn’s personal story includes homelessness, gun violence, bullying, self-esteem issues, physical and emotional abuse, leaving home early, losing family members to drug and alcohol addiction, and much more.  After multiple trips to detention for drinking, smoking, talking back in class and fighting, it was suggested that she attend weekly in school group therapy.  When people would come and speak to the group she felt that they were not able to understand her experience.  She has seen this in the kids she volunteers with as well. Opening up faster and showing a deeper respect to the volunteers they feel understand their story.  Dawn has seen the effects that the speakers have on these kids and is excited to expand her reach providing in school speakers as well as video access through the website.

When Dawn was 16 years her communications teacher, Mrs. Butler,  said: “You are 100% responsible for yourself.” This message would change the path of Dawn’s life.  Instead of blaming others and the circumstances for why she was behind on her grades, not getting what she wanted, etc.  she embraced these words knowing life was whatever she wanted it to be. She doubled up on classes, worked 20 hr a week job, played sports, lived with her friend her junior year and was still able to graduate from High School with the rest of her class.  She even won some scholarship money. This was a great accomplishment considering she failed every class the second semester of her freshman year. She brings this zest for creating life and loves sharing how to do just that with others. She has been studying spiritual psychology and metaphysics for over 25 years. The path hasn’t always been smooth but she has been able to move herself forward and create a wonderful life using the “You are 100% responsible for yourself” mantra and the tools for living she has learned.

Dawn has held many management positions over the years in a variety of fields. Most notably feeding her passion of Art, Music, and Production. For the past 19 years, she has made her living as a Producer of Commercials, Promos, Music Videos, PSAs, Industrial Videos, Print Campaigns, Feature Films, and Reality TV Programs.

Dawn has volunteered with The Educare Foundation, Reading to Kids, Standup For Kids, Camp Planet Hope, The P.S. I Love You Foundation, and many others over the past 30 years. 

MISSION: Empower and inspire youth in Los Angeles by providing speakers to help them understand how others have shared similar challenges and have found success in their everyday lives.

OVERVIEW: A Walk in My Shoes provide inspirational speakers for middle school and high school students. Sessions vary from small 7-10 student groups through to school wide assembly presentations.

Studies show At-Risk Teens who have been pressured to join gangs, are from single parent homes, in the foster system, have incarcerated parents, and exposed to addiction without intervention have a greater chance of intergenerational incarceration, criminal activity, physical and verbal aggression with peers (Bullying), promiscuity, truancy, lying, stealing, self-harm (cutting or eating disorders) and an overall disconnection to the school environment.

A Walk in My Shoes believes that during the pre-teen and teen years it is vitally important for kids to understand how their choices affect their future. AWIMS strives to inspire positive decision making and community involvement – all helping to reduce the risk factors and let the kids know others have overcome similar challenges.  

OUTCOMES: Participants in the program typically:

·       Develop peaceful conflict resolution skills.

·       Develop perspectives beyond their personal story

·       Make better choices at school and at home

·       Build & reinforce relationships in their community

·       Rededicate themselves to their studies.

·       Feel safer asking for help from teachers and counselors.  

METRICS (2015-2016 school year):

·       Over 1000 at risk youths reached

·       Self-funded, 8-month speaker series

·       25 speakers vetted

·       11 speakers presented

·       5 schools participated

·       99% of students surveyed benefited more from in-person speakers over on-line speakers

·       100% volunteer hours by speakers and administration

“ Thank you for telling me that life can be hard but you can still have a successful future." – Student @ John Adams Middle School
“I learned color doesn’t matter. If you’re a different race or color you can still make it to the top and be successful.” - Perl @ El Serrano Middle School

“Ms. Mitchell’s talk helped me to see that someone “like me” can graduate from High School.”  – Student @ Paul Revere Middle School
 

A Walk in My Shoes is a 501c3 Non-Profit Organization.