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Valencia Clipper-Davis launched her nonprofit, Valuable Blessings, in April 2007, one month after tragedy struck her family — when someone murdered Clipper-Davis' younger brother, Dwight Smith. Police arrested a 19-year-old suspect in the case, but he was released when no one would testify against him, Clipper-Davis said.
"Following his death, I looked around and realized that a lot of people are afraid to reach out to our youth," said Clipper-Davis, who lives in Capitol Heights. "Plus, the activities in our community are so expensive. I'm sure that 19-year-old reached out for something and couldn't find any support."
Smith, who dropped out of school in the 10th grade, had come home from incarceration in February, she said. He often tried to encourage young people not to follow in his footsteps. He died at age 30, leaving behind an 11-year-old son as well as three manuscripts, business plans for a fashion line and other ideas he developed.
"That's why I started my organization, to keep some of his efforts going," Clipper-Davis said.
Today, Valuable Blessings provides a range of free services in District and Capitol Heights. Those who participate in the Daughters With a Purpose mentoring program, for example, visit museums, enjoy others kinds of field trips and volunteer in the community. This year, the girls will volunteer for the second Thanksgiving community banquet at the Le Pearl Ballroom in Capitol Heights.
"I developed Daughters With a Purpose after watching and listening to our girls," Clipper-Davis said. "I'm real and very no-nonsense, but we have a lot of fun."
She said she currently works with about 15 girls and gets strong support from parents.
One of Clipper-Davis' biggest challenges is rounding up volunteers for a tutoring program that takes place on the first and second Tuesday of every month in Capitol Heights.
"It's heartbreaking," she said. "Two volunteers agreed to assist with tutoring. Nobody seems to be interested in their kids' education."
A youth cooking program, however, attracted about six adults and 10 children. Clipper-Davis developed this program to show youngsters how to safely prepare meals for themselves when they come home from school. Activity coordinator Kendra Fuller has developed a menu outline for the entire year, and Eric Pickens, owner of Le Pearl Ballroom (an event rental facility) , also assists with this program.
Clipper-Davis says she's seen positive results from her efforts in a short amount of time. One girl who started out with attitude problems graduated from high school last year and still keeps in touch.
"She wants to come back as a junior mentor," Clipper-Davis said.
Vice President Barbara Quaye, who serves in a variety of roles, says the girls seek guidance about such typical things as friends, puberty and academics. The organization tackles subjects that parents are too afraid or uninformed to discuss.
"We want to help them accomplish their goals," said Quaye, who lives in College Park. "We give 150 percent of ourselves to help them get where they want to go."
Valuable Blessings
How it makes a difference: This nonprofit offers free services including mentoring and tutoring for youth in Capitol and District Heights. For information on the organization or to receive a ticket to the free Thanksgiving community banquet, call 202-210-6147.
