The Concrete Rose Foundation hosted its inaugural charity banquet in Gainesville on Sunday

Families celebrated the achievements of their daughters who participate in the Concrete Rose Foundation's mentoring program whose goal is to create better leaders.

Twenty girls were awarded pins and certificates acknowledging their accomplishments during the past two years during the event held Sunday at Big Daddy Unlimited, located at 7600 NW Fifth Place in Gainesville.

The foundation was founded in April 2019 by teacher Ashely McClellan Robinson at Idylwild Elementary School.

“I hope this brings new experiences,” Robinson said. “We wanted to honor them for their accomplishments.”

Susan McClellan, secretary of CRF, welcomed the girls and their families to the banquet and her husband and the chaplain of CRF, Kenneth McClellan, gave a prayer afterward.

Eden Nolan, student president of CRF, read the purpose and vision of the program.

The purpose of CRF is to provide advocacy and assistance to minority youth through targeted mentoring to minimize the risk factors attributed to adolescents in underserved communities.

Nolan also thanked Robinson for teaching her life skills and exposing her to new opportunities.

“She helped me to be myself,” Nolan said. “It has been the best three years. She taught me that I am capable of doing anything I can and more. I couldn’t think of anyone better to lead this organization. I pray this organization continues to blossom.”

Current members of CRF, Ty’Niyah Smart and Kimberly Evans, also shared their thoughts about the foundation.

“It takes a lot of courage to speak like that,” said Susan McClellan, secretary of CRF. “They were shy in the beginning but the program brought them out of their shell.”

Alachua County School Board Member Diyonne McGraw was the keynote speaker during the ceremony.

McGraw gave words of encouragement to the girls and listed 10 statements to keep them on track in life.

This list goes as followsBelieve in your abilities. You have the power to achieve great things

∙ Set big goals and work hard to achieve them

∙ Embrace ups and downs and see them as opportunities to grow

∙ Surround yourself with positive people who support and encourage you

∙ Stay focused and don’t let distractions get in the way

∙ Believe in the power of persistence

∙ Celebrate your success no matter how small

∙ Learn from your mistakes

∙ Look for the good in every situation

∙ Success is not about winning but becoming the best version of yourself

∙ CRF staff member Michelle Patrick and Robinson gave away certificates and CRF pins to the girls.

Certificate recipients were Treazure Bennett, Alyashia Brewer, Melanie Brown, McKeena Carr, Jameyah Curry, Kimber Evans, Taylor Hall, Ta’Ziyon Jefferson, Janay Johnson, Faith Miller, Makayla Miller, Shalice Miller, Eden Nolan, Jada Norwood, Naomi Oats, Ri’Nyah Roberts, Ty’Ajah Roman, Janiyah Satcher, Makiya Shade and Ty’Niyah Smart.

There was a special presentation by 11th-grader Caris Walker who inspired Robinson to create CRF when she was a substitute teacher at Idylwild Elementary School.

Walker shared a photo album with Robinson, whom she calls her godmother, and thanked her for her guidance.

“You never gave up on me,” Walker said. “I love you so much and thank you for everything.”

McClellan handed Robinson an award for her dedication to CRF.

Guardian newsletter: Gainesville Guardian will transition to an email newsletter format

“I made sure to stick with her and work with her to be the best she can be,” Robinson said.

Robinson then recognized and gave certificates to CRF staff member Michelle Parker; Robert King, CRF operations manager; Susan McClellan, CRF secretary; Kenneth McClellan, CRF chaplain and Randy Robinson, CRF support staff.

“We persevere and do it because we love the girls,” King said. “We try to get them culturally based and teach them who they are as Black people. Thank you for entrusting us with your girls. We look forward to more prosperous years.”

Robinson also awarded the CRF parent chairs with certificates: Brittany Johnson, Libra Nolan and Takasia McLean.

This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Concrete Rose Foundation was founded to mentor girls in Gainesville