Meet Ja’net Young

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Ja’net Young a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Ja’net, appreciate you sitting with us today to share your wisdom with our readers. So, let’s start with resilience – where do you get your resilience from?

My resilience comes from my relationship with Christ Jesus and knowing my purpose. I know I am created for good works and to encourage others to do great work – to give back, to love, to inspire, and to cultivate an environment for living an abundant life.

When you know what your purpose is and walk into it, you are going to face many challenges. There were many times when I wanted to throw in the towel and literally give up on life. I didn’t want to be here anymore. I remember praying to God for 30 days straight, asking Him to take me home. I hated my life. I was broke. I lost my place, my car, and my finances because I chose to give up my former lifestyle and follow the path Jesus had designed for me, which was to fully focus on the development of my nonprofit, the Alliance for Young Women and Girls. However, I did not expect the road to be very difficult. Needless to say, God did not honor my request, but He did respond with, “I love you,” and “Your life and what you’re going through is not just about you, but those around you. You need to spend more time with Me.” So, my resilience comes from Jesus. Jesus is the One who bounces me back when I start to get off track. He reminds me of why I am doing what I do, the bigger picture. Jesus’ love, encouragement, and direction are so paramount in my life.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I am the Founder, Executive Director, and Chief Encouragement Officer for the Alliance for Young Women and Girls, a nonprofit that empowers young women and girls from marginalized communities to pursue careers that lead to upward economic mobility and professional growth through entry-level career, leadership, and employability training.

We currently offer two programs. The first is the Free Hybrid Entry-Level Career Training for Women, a 12-week program designed to prepare women from marginalized communities for entry-level careers where they earn above minimum wage or more than their previous income. Participants also gain access to benefits such as medical, retirement, and paid vacation. Once the training is complete, we assist in placing participants in entry-level positions with employers. The second program, Leadership & Employability Training for Girls, is offered through community partnerships like schools and community centers. This program prepares girls from marginalized communities for leadership careers and long-term financial security through literacy enrichment, character development, and career exploration.

The most exhilarating part of my role is encouraging women and girls to realize and maximize their full potential. I feel excited when participants have a breakthrough or new opportunities open up for them. Their stories of overcoming self-doubt, and imposter syndrome, and applying our training techniques to navigate life are truly inspiring.

In 2024, we celebrate our 10th anniversary. Our focus is on further developing our Entry-Level Career Training for Women and Leadership & Employability Training for Girls programs, as well as increasing community engagement and building partnerships. We are updating our curriculum to include a focus on emotional and mental well-being, building and maintaining healthy relationships, and fostering optimism, which are essential for women and girls to lead successful lives and careers.

We also have other exciting news in development, but I will wait until those things come to fruition before sharing.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

One, you need people. There is no such thing as a self-made woman. You didn’t get to where you are without the help, knowledge, or expertise of others. It’s okay to be interdependent. However, there should be some reciprocity in your relationships. How can others benefit from you? How can you inspire or help others? Do you treat others the way you want to be treated?

Two, make up your mind to be a life-long learner. You are never too old to learn something new or a new way of doing things. Be open-minded to learn from others, including those younger than you. You’ll miss many opportunities if you feel like you have arrived.

Third, maintain consistency. Whatever you set out to do, be consistent. Consistency leads to the outcome you desire. No matter what, stay committed to the process.

Any advice for folks feeling overwhelmed?

I make it a priority to identify the sources of my overwhelm, such as handling multiple projects with tight deadlines. At the start of each month, I find a quiet spot with a cup of coffee or tea to assess the projects and set a theme for the month. I jot down 2-3 projects with their respective deadlines and then break them down into daily tasks. I use a planner to keep track of these projects and tasks, and I also utilize Google Calendar to receive reminders about deadlines. I avoid multitasking as it often leads to errors, so I focus on tasks related to my projects. If unexpected tasks come up, I either seek assistance, delegate them to others, or request deadline extensions. I set themes based on scriptures or adages that motivate and hold me accountable. For instance, this month’s theme is “Be consistent in everything you do,” so if I aim to walk five miles a week, I ensure that I take the necessary steps to achieve that goal.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.alliance4ywg.org/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/a4ywg/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/A4YWG/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/alliance-for-young-women-and-girls/
• Twitter: https://x.com/Alliance4Ywg

Image Credits

Professional photographer of my photograph is Tom Underhill.