The Society of Mentorship for Minority Women and Girls (SMMWG) is an organization who vow to serve their time as leaders for females from various walks of life by driving social change, unity, and education. They started their journey in November 2019 and have been working diligently to ensure they are prepared to help where needed. Tikel Davis is the founder and president of SMMWG and saw the need for help during the COVID-19 outbreak. So, for her birthday, she made it her goal to give back.

Tikel works for an air space company called Northrop Grumman as a Mission Assurance Engineer. She is considered an essential worker and has been needed for additional hours due to the crisis. However, she is making sure SMMWG continues to be active in the community. During the stay-at-home order, she and her organization have been working with a nursing home and reached out to the Children’s Foundation of America to support foster youth living on a residential campus in Apple Valley.

Since Tikel recently relocated to California from Arkansas, she spent some time on Google searching for local organizations that need help. She got in contact with Gail Polk, our Community Outreach Coordinator, and found out about the needs of Trinity Youth Services’ Apple Valley campus, a short-term residential therapeutic program for foster youth.

In an effort to keep youth occupied on campus during quarantine, Gail and Campus Director, Elizabeth Tamoush, coordinated with Tikel to provide activities for the kids. Together, they planned a “Sip and Paint Party.” SMMWG held a fundraiser and collected almost $300, which was used to purchase art supplies including paint brushes, pallets and jars of paint. They also purchased snacks like popcorn, chips and cookies as well as apple juice, punch and soda to sip.

For those struggling due to the COVID-19 crisis, Tikel’s advice is to “Really understand within yourself, where your strength comes from. We are bigger than our circumstances,” she said. “We can overcome whatever circumstances are thrown our way.”

Children in need fall through the cracks during crisis, which is why it is more important than ever to get involved. The Children’s Foundation of America appreciates the amazing support of our donors. We couldn’t accomplish what we do without you! It is thanks to amazing individuals and organizations such as Tikel’s at the Society of Minority Women and Girls that we can Be the Difference for so many. If you would like to be a hero for children in need during the COVID-19 pandemic, reach out to us at donations@trinityys.org or donate on our website.

Isabel Millward-Pena
Isabel contributes content for our social media, blog, newsletters and promotional materials. She recently earned a bachelor’s degree in English from California State University San Bernardino and is currently working on her master’s degree. Isabel began working with our team as an intern and, luckily for us, never left. Isabel primarily works as Clerical for Trinity Youth Services. Prior to her work there, she was a substitute instructional aid and a supervisor at Starbucks. She has also volunteered as an aid at local elementary schools and notably achieved “Partner of the Quarter” at Starbucks in 2017.