To know Stephanie Cleveland is to know a confident young woman, passionate about connecting with others and serving her community. A long time Club member at more than one site, she has emerged from a shy girl into a natural leader with a gift for gab.
Stephanie has developed her strengths through her involvement with the Keystone teen service and leadership program, Career Bound post-high school readiness program, and the Lyricist’s Lounge, which gives poets and spoken words artists a platform to showcase their talent. Ten years ago, at the tender age of 6, she began a project that has grown into “Soup N Socks” – a community initiative that provides care packages – including every day and dress socks for men, women, and children, as well as feeds the homeless. Working with her mother, Stephanie has also received support from her Club Director, Ruth Holder.
Stephanie makes sure to credit Miss Simone and Miss Vicky, staff that she has built relationships with as she has grown in the Clubs. Feeling that it was hard to interact naturally with others, she is grateful for the pushes to join groups and make friends, as well as the support needed to help her learn life lessons – “things that school doesn’t teach”.
After feeling that she could go for days without talking to anyone, Stephanie is now comfortable communicating with ease – a growth that has helped her discover a desire to study mass communications to explore a career in radio, as well as create platforms to help others.
When asked what she wants to be when she grows up, Stephanie thinks past her career and says she wants to be successful, be the best in everything she does, and be happy with what she is doing.