Represent That B-Town: Renewed Minds Founder Talks Discrimination and Domestic Violence Amongst Youth

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Renewed Minds Founder Talks Discrimination and Domestic Violence Amongst Youth

Cumberland County—Renewed Minds called on all girls to partake in a “far above rubies experience” in early March. Mothers and daughters flooded the Alms Center (Bridgeton, NJ) for a “mini” Girls’ Conference.

“This conference is for Rubies by Rubies. The girls planned the conference and executed it themselves. I’m so proud,” said Founder/CEO of Renewed Minds, Tracey Wells-Huggins.

Rubies are female youth members of Renewed Minds.

The Girls’ Conference sprouted from a disappointing experience four Rubies had at a program in North Jersey. “I took four of the girls to an event and when it was over they turned to me and said, ‘We could’ve did this ourselves’, so I challenged them to make it happen and they did,” said Wells-Huggins.

Guest speakers chimed the message of “Positive D.R.A.M.A. (Dreams, Responsibility/Respect, Abilities, Motivations, and Attitudes) throughout the night.

Motivational speaker, Dr. Emily Cannon, commanded all ears on her as she talked about the “benefits of being yourself”, telling the audience, “Quit trying to be everybody else and in everything else. You don’t have to be a “drama” queen, you can be a princess.”

When asked why she thought it important to touch on that particular subject Dr. Cannon said, “I think it’s important for our young ladies to get focused. They get so side-tracked on all that’s going on in the world and they need to know if they get focused they can succeed.”
Before and after dinner the crowd split for “break out” sessions.

Vice President of Steered Straight, Inc., John Fuqua, and Founder of Pink Roses, Inc. Janice Renee Burton spoke with the teen girls about various social issues.

Author Makema Douglas rounded up the mothers for an inspirational message on how to better deal with unforeseen stresses in life. Douglas compared life to a rubber band, reminding the mothers they must be flexible through every situation. “Kids love to laugh and sometimes we forget to laugh. We have to remember we can be responsible but we still have to laugh. Laughter releases so many emotions we have built up inside,” she says.

Towards the end of the night Wells-Huggins became teary eyed as she spoke on her joy of seeing a large amount of mothers in attendance, “It’s so beautiful to see so many mothers in one room-- learning. This event was for the girls, but they brought out the women.”

Renewed Minds reaches students in Bridgeton High School, Cumberland Regional High School, and Millville Senior High School. To become a member see your school’s Guidance Counselor for more information or call Renewed Minds at (856)213-5263.

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"Representation for US by US"

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The Story Behind

“Back in the Day…”

You Can Only Know Where You’re Going…

Have you ever heard a Bridgetonite, born and raised-TRUE-BLUE Bridgeton native, begin a sentence with “Back in the day…” or “When I was coming up…”?

They reminisce with passion of a time when they would party til’ the crack of dawn at the Tin Can, break dancing and beatboxing. Where cats would show off their new Chuck Taylor’s or play it cool in their shell top Adidas and the gentlemen sported Gators and chunky gold chains-while the females flaunted their asymmetrical haircuts, nylon tights and bamboo earrings. A time when everyone loved the Disc Jockey (as most elders would say).

An era when basketball was more than a sport but a social event that brought people out in packs to support their community and the football field molded neighborhood legends. An era where you learned more than how to run up and down a court or catch a pig skin ball in the end zone, but coach’s made sure to instill in their players the benefits of discipline, importance of staying focus, and the advantages that come when you’re committed to your team-take pride in your school-and always represent your community. An era where players were taught to win during the game, when people were in the stands cheering, and in life when the spotlight wasn’t so bright.

A generation that pride themselves on knowing their history and educating others. A generation that would welcome all into the Cultural Center to display their heritage through reading materials, programs, and events. A generation of young men and women who expressed themselves through art, music, dance and drama. A generation of thinkers who knew where they came from and had their minds set on where they were going.

They preach of a family oriented neighborhood that believed it took a whole village to raise a child and lived by that belief. They talk of a peaceful community where fights were at a minimal and crime was almost unheard of. A city where everyone knew each other whether they were from the South Side, North Side, or Hill Side and when asked by an outsider where they were from-they would proudly shout out “Da Bridge”.

If You Know Where You’ve Been…

Those who lived those events and tell the stories of the times when there was a strong UNITY in our COMMUNITY were once told another version of “Back in the day…” by those who came before them. That story may have begun a little different-perhaps with “When I was a young whipper snapper…” or “My, how times change, let me tell you how it used to be…”

If you’ll read on I’d like to tell you “how it used to be” when our grandfather’s went fishing with their grandfather’s and grandmothers were still in pigtails and white lace socks:

Thousands of years before the first European settlement claimed Bridgeton in 1686, and Richard Hancock established a sawmill here, this area was inhabited by indigenous people. The Lenni-Lenape Indians reigned supreme over this land. They survived by developing a seasonal pattern of cultivation-farming, hunting, and fishing.

It wasn’t until 1814 that Settlers established a pioneer iron works-which may have very well been the jump start of our prosperous industrialization. After the American Civil War, Bridgeton became known for its high employment rate in glass factories, sewing factories, metal and machine works, and general labor.

On March 1, 1865, Bridgeton Township was dubbed Bridgeton City.

The City of Bridgeton has the largest historic district of any incorporated town in New Jersey. The architects of the 1920s adorned our streets with large Victorian homes and a downtown area.

Thanks to our ancestors- we are able to look upon the City of Bridgeton, the place where we call home, and literally see history. The many historic buildings we take for granted, culture we fail to embrace, and heritage we lack to know and understand only crimples us as a people when asked by an outsider “Where are you from?” Anyone can say they live in Bridgeton, but only until you know the story behind its existence can you truly rep Da’ Bridge.

Know Your History