Betty J Boles Professional Step Up Award
Recognizes women over forty years of age who have
completed, or are in the process of completing a
training program, and who are re-entering the
workplace.
Born and raised in East Oakland, CA, LaJuana Powell (nee Jordan), always loved school and looked forward to the first day. She went to catholic school for 13 years due to the vision and sacrifices made by her parents. She is the oldest of 6 siblings, 4 girls and 2 boys.
LaJuana has worked in the Information Technology field for over 23 years being one of the few women in that field back then. She has worked for AT&T Wireless, A T&T Local Network Services, and TeleTech Holdings. Being promoted from Help Desk tech to Regional IT Manager in just a few years, was a personal accomplishment for her. She earned her white belt certification from Six Sigma.
LaJuana and her daughter, Ikhayere, moved to Oroville in 2007. Ikhayere is the apple of her eye and one of the most amazing humans she knows. LaJuana and her husband, David, recently celebrated 7 years of marriage and serve together in ministry at New Home Missionary Baptist Church. Between them, they have 2 daughters, 1 son, 3 grandchildren, and twins on the way.
Over recent years, she has served on the Usher board, Official Board of Trustees, and Missionary ministry at New Home. She had also volunteered as Secretary and Political Action Chair for the local NAACP unit, where her mother was president for many years.
After being out of school since 1992, LaJuana decided to enroll and start taking courses at Butte College to attain her AS degree in Accounting. She should finish by end of spring 2023. She is also going for the Certificate of Achievement in Accounting at the same time, which should be completed in the fall 2022. Her daughter had a big hand in that decision and LaJuana hopes to make her proud. She plans to transfer to Chico State to complete her Bachelor’s degree in Accounting.
Positive Parenting Award
Honors individuals who are working toward economic
independence, improving parenting skills, building self-esteem,
and building positive coping skills. This award can be used to help
with any family needs.
Adrianna Snelling is a 25 year old Nursing student about to complete her degree at Butte College in May. She is also the mother of three year old Zachary who was diagnosed with epilepsy caused by a rare genetic mutation that only 16 other people in the world share. He has inspired her to go into nursing to give her son the financial and professional support he needs. As Adrianna says, “Obtaining this degree will supply my son with the financial stability …while also continuing the treatments and therapies required for his success.
While raising her son, maintaining a 3.8 at school, and working at Enloe to learn her craft and pay for health insurance, Adrianna has lived with her parents, who have provided financial security and helped with child care as she works toward independence and a career of helping others with health issues. As she says, “I want to be the best mom and the best nurse I can be. I cannot wait for what my and Zachary’s future holds.”
Violet Richardson Youth in Service
The Violet Richardson Youth in Service Award recognizes a young
woman who has made service to the community an important
part of her education by volunteering at a school or community
based organization focused on improving the lives of those in
need. The organization must qualify as a 501(C)3.
Destiny says to understand her, you need to learn about her mother. Her mom, who is Hmong, was born and grew up in a refugee camp in Thailand until she was 15. At age 15, she was able to come to the United States with her siblings and grandparents. They were sponsored by family members and settled in Willows.
While living in Willows, Destiny’s mom went to community college for a year, but quit when they moved to Chico where Destiny and her sister were born. Her parents divorced shortly thereafter and from that time forward it has been just the three of them together.
Destiny says of her mom that she is an incredible woman and a strong woman. She was non-English speaking when she arrived in the United States and had to learn English. She achieved her college education as a single mother raising two children. She graduated from college when Destiny was in 7th grade and because of all of her hard work and perseverance, is now the marketing manager of Rolling Hills Casino.
Destiny is being recognized for her work with Friday Night Live at Pleasant Valley High School. Destiny has been part of Friday Night Live since 2017. She started off as a member and rose to be officer. She is currently lead officer which the advisor to Friday Night Live says is a “Big Deal”. She oversees all the officers, conducting all the meetings, and is responsible for the outcome of all that they attempt. She is the go-to person, and you have to be a true leader, which all agreed, she is.
Friday Night Live is an all-volunteer organization, and it seeks to mobilize students to engage with the community as well as make a change for their future. In addition to Destiny’s mother, the advisor to Friday Night Live from the Butte County Behavioral Health Department, Ledell Jones, was at our luncheon to support and celebrate with Destiny.
Friday Night Live works on a diverse range of projects including environmental protection, spreading awareness of mental health issues, and strengthening families. Of significant interest to Destiny has been to try and help bridge the differences between cultures through her volunteer efforts with Friday Night Live.
In addition to her responsibilities as lead officer at Friday Night Live, she currently works part time as a youth staff member for the Prevention Unit at Butte County Behavioral Health where she assists with the impact mentoring program for middle schoolers and the strengthening family’s program.
Speaking to others who know her they said, “She is a true leader”. “She always shows up”. “She makes sure others get what they need in order to do their work out in the community”. “She is just amazing.” And “You chose well”.
She plays guitar and really enjoys acting which she has done since she was 8. She recently played the lead part of Juliet in the Pleasant Valley High School winter production of Romeo and Juliet and would enjoy doing more acting in the future.
She really wants to further her education and has applied to several universities in the UC system as well as the CSU system. As of this writing, she had received one acceptance letter to UC Santa Cruz and is expecting to hear back from the others by the end of March. Right now , her educational goal is to pursue an education that will allow her to become a clinical psychologist.
Dottie Locke Imagining Possibilities
For young women leaving the foster care system who have been recognized as
outstanding and achievement oriented individuals. Have been in foster care or a group
home system and are being emancipated; are motivated to succeed in school and/or
work; have overcome obstacles while maintaining a positive outlook; are an inspiration
to their peers; demonstrate initiative and leadership; and have financial need
Jessica Summers is this year’s winner of the Dottie Locke Award. Her reference letters used words like “impressive, resilient, responsible, mature, diligent worker, an inspiration to her many friends. She has well thought out her plans for her future. She’s saving money to buy a house. She is a hard worker. She’s volunteered for the Oroville State Theater for four years helping with raising funds for the new pipe organ (even maintenance). She is working on a book inspired by her time in foster care and hopes to get it published.
She was highly recommended by the following people:
Brianna Chavez – Independent Living Programs
Elizabeth Johnson – Butte County Children’s Services
Natalie Worthington – Youth for Change, Transitional Housing Program
Group photo Awardees with Coordinators & President Sara
