ABOUT US
MONICA HALL | FOUNDER
Monica Hall, founder of “I Was Once U,” birthed the idea of a girls mentorship program due to her complicated upbringing. Having adolescent parents led Monica to be raised by various family members, with no one place to call home. Throughout her childhood, her parents were in and out of prison due to substance abuse. This created a heart of resentment, loneliness, false identity, and anger. It wasn’t until she experienced a relationship that fostered hope, love, truth, and pride that she begin to see things clearly which caused the shedding of intolerable behavior.
Monica is now married with 3 beautiful kids; 2 boys and 1 girl. She volunteers as an assistant youth director alongside her husband, Michael, at Truevine Missionary Baptist Church. She also serves adolescent youth in schools and helps them deal with the struggles that she once faced. She is dedicated to the notion that "relationship allows for mentorship."
#IWASONCEU - I WAS ONCE U
Mission
Empowering young girls to rise above adversity, we envision a world where every young girl is equipped with confidence, resilience and resources to break cycles of disadvantage and achieve her full potential.
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Vision
Through mentorship, education and personalized support we aim to inspire a generation of young women to create positive change in their lives and communities.
Relationship
Teens make great leaps when they can tell that someone cares about them. Strong, respectful relationships with adults and with each other gives young people the safety and confidence to transform their lives. Therefore, the goal is too effectively engage youth in meaningful activities which contribute to positive youth development. Youth involved in positive, meaningful, respectful relationships with adults have been shown to improve skills and competencies while decreasing participation in risky behaviors. This will also allow for youth to be open and receptive.
Mentorship
At its most basic level, mentoring helps because it guarantees a young person that there is someone who cares about them. A child is not alone in dealing with day-to-day challenges. Mentors help keep students in school; Mentors help improve a young person's self-esteem; Mentors teach young people how to relate well to all kinds of people and help them strengthen communication skills; Mentors help young people set career goals and start taking steps to realize them; Mentors can help their mentees learn how to seek and keep jobs. These are the rolls of a mentor in order to help our youth flourish in their gifts and talents.
Jocelyn, Age 16
"Your unwavering support, exemplified by attending games even when it wasn't required, has profoundly impacted my life. You have treated me as one of your own, always ensuring I uphold integrity, even in solitude. Your encouragement to relentlessly pursue my aspirations, regardless of the obstacles, has been incredibly inspiring. I am deeply grateful for your guidance and steadfast support, Thank you for everything!"
Emily, Age 17
"Mrs. Monica has changed me and helped me in so many ways. She was there for me in a very struggling time and helped me through it. She always pushed me to be the best I can be and always saw the good in me when I never could. She’s helped and watched me grow into a strong person, and it would not have been possible without her support and care. I will forever be grateful for her."