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MEET IMANI Assistant District Attorney Renee Merges and got to see different sides of the law and how it works. She also introduced me to the leadership camp at Albany Academy and a theatre summer program at Proctors. The leadership camp helped me learn that being a leader isn’t just about the title but about responsibility, compassion, and caring for others.
Imani is an eleventh grade student at The Doane Stuart School, who has been working with a Mission Accomplished coach for almost two year. What encouraged you to engage coaching services with a Mission Accomplished transition coach? I have a lot of ambitions, dreams and aspirations to become an attorney, singer and/or actress one day. I knew I wouldn’t be able to meet my career dreams on my own. I needed someone to help me. That’s when my mom introduced me to Carmen Duncan. How have the Transition Coaches at Mission Accomplished helped you with school, exploring career and philanthropic opportunities? Last summer Coach Chelsea helped me develop and achieve goals related to my career aspirations. Our sessions focused on the careers I am interested in and the colleges and programs that would prepare me for my future career. Chelsea introduced me to the opportunity of becoming an intern at the Albany County District Attorney’s (DA)office and a leadership development camp at Albany Academy. Chelsea helped me develop a professional resume and facilitated mock interviews to help me prepare for the interview at the DA’s office and thankfully her coaching helped me feel less nervous while in the interview; and I landed the internship with Mission Accomplished | 2018
What has been most valuable about the Transition Coaching program? It’s helped me grow up some in ways. I have more responsibilities and more people to answer to. It’s kinda like being in a second school. Now that Chelsea is no longer with Mission Accomplished, Coach Carmen works me. She gives me homework that I have to complete by a certain date, and it’s not homework you can skimp on, you have to actually DO it or you’re cheating yourself out of a valuable opportunity. When you sign up, it’s not them working for you, it’s a partnership, you give some to get some from them. They’re not going to put in the effort to help you if you don’t want to help yourself. What charity projects are you working on and why were you inspired to be philanthropic? I currently have a charity I’ve been working on since I was seven years old. My parents are from Cameroon, West Africa. There’s an orphanage there called HOTPEC, located in Buea. Everytime we went we would visit the orphanage and bring them goods we had collected. I remember leaving crying because I felt bad that they weren’t as fortunate as I was, so as I grew up I begain brining them a memorable Christmas. I collected money and toys from people in my school, church and family and packed them into about three suitcases. I spend about an hour and a half at baggage claim, but it’s worth it to see the looks on their faces. In December 2016 Coach Carmen helped me establish a Gofundme to raise $100; I raised more than $600. My goal is to grow my charity to a point where I am able to donate year-round. I plan on giving HOPTEC money to help with renovations, supplies and food. Back home, I work on a lot of home repair projects with my local church youth group. And anything else you would like to share? I’ve always wanted to be an actress/ singer. It sounds a little cliche, but ever since I was little, it’s been my dream. I’m not there yet, obviously, but Mission Accomplished is helping me get there. I’m currently looking into a talent agency and open casting calls, and I wouldn’t have gotten the courage to do it without Mission Accomplished.