Good Things Happen When We Step Up Together!
Celebrating Our Friendship with Communities In Schools of Chatham County
There’s something special about working with people who share your passion for making a difference.
People who believe in the same things you do, celebrate the same successes and understand that sometimes the smallest gestures can have the biggest impact.
At Soleful Kicks, we’re lucky to have found that connection with Communities In Schools of Chatham County (CISCC). Sure, we’re officially community partners but we’d like to think of our relationship as more of a friendship. We share a common goal, we support each other’s efforts and most importantly, we both believe that every young person deserves someone cheering them on.
This month, we’re excited to highlight Lydia Miller, Community Service & Restitution Program Manager at CISCC, who also coordinates their Community Impact Series. Lydia has a genuine passion for helping young people and we’re so happy to work with her.
More Than Just a Program
The Community Impact Series gives youth opportunities to learn new skills, explore interests and discover what they’re capable of achieving. Through hands-on activities, guest speakers and community connections, youth learn about everything from financial literacy and career possibilities to everyday life skills.
But for Lydia, it’s about much more than what happens during a workshop.
“I hope every youth leaves with more than just a new skill. I want them to leave feeling encouraged, capable and excited about what they can accomplish.”
I love that perspective because it really gets to the heart of what both our organizations are trying to accomplish. We want young people to recognize their potential and know that someone believes in them.
When I asked Lydia what she enjoys most about her work, her answer was simple: the youth! She loves seeing their personalities shine, watching them try something new and hearing their ideas and perspectives.
It’s those little moments of growth that makes her work so rewarding.
A Partnership That Just Makes Sense
When Soleful Kicks and CISCC came together, it was a natural fit.
CISCC creates opportunities for youth to learn, grow and build confidence. Soleful Kicks gets to add a little extra excitement by recognizing their participation and commitment with a brand-new pair of shoes!
And let’s face it, who doesn’t love a new pair of shoes?
But as we often say at Soleful Kicks, it’s about so much more than the shoes.
It’s about encouragement,
recognition, and letting young people know their efforts matter.
Lydia put it perfectly:
“Something as practical as a new pair of shoes can also be a reminder that people in their community care about them and want to see them succeed.”
That’s what I love about this partnership. We’re each doing what we do best but together, we’re able to make the experience even more meaningful for the youth.
And we get to celebrate their accomplishments together!
It's the Little Moments
One of my favorite things Lydia shared was what stands out to her most about the Community Impact Series.
It wasn’t one particular event or big accomplishment. It was watching young people step outside their comfort zones, try something unfamiliar, ask thoughtful questions and encourage one another.
Those moments might seem small but they can really make a big difference. Sometimes success is simply showing up, trying something new, or realizing you’re capable of more than you ever thought possible. And when you have people in your corner cheering you on, those little steps can lead to some pretty amazing things.
Better Together
What makes our partnership with CISCC so special is that we really are on the same team. They bring the programs, the connections, and the opportunities. We bring encouragement, recognition, and of course, the shoes! But what brings us together is something even bigger: a shared belief that every young person matters.
One caring adult can change the way a young person sees themselves. Lydia summed it up beautifully: “It truly takes a village and we’re so grateful to be part of a community that continues to show up for
young people.”
We couldn’t agree more! We’re especially excited to join Lydia and the CISCC team again this December to celebrate the
accomplishments of their fall Community Impact Series participants. With more than 30 youth participating, that’s a lot of opportunities to learn, grow and make a difference! And for those who complete the series, Soleful Kicks will be there to help celebrate their hard work with a brand-new pair of shoes.
There’s nothing quite like seeing the smiles when those shoe boxes are opened!
A big thank-you to Lydia and everyone at Communities In Schools of Chatham County for the wonderful work they do. Always encouraging, showing up, asking questions and celebrating wins! We’re grateful for this partnership, the friendship we’ve built and the opportunity to make a difference together.
Because when we step up together, amazing things can happen!
