Today we’d like to introduce you to Timothy Parham.
Hi Timothy, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My exposure to community service started in the home. I watched my parents give to so many people. For years they hosted the Youth Fest at Bremen High School where youth from all over GA would come together to gain knowledge and skills that were life-changing. Little did I know they were preparing me to work in youth development for over 15 years and also to start my own non-profit organization The Map Foundation. During my career in youth development, I’ve worked for amazing organizations. I worked at YELLS Inc (where I met my wife), Communities in Schools of GA, and 21st Century Leaders.
As a reserved 15-year-old, I joined the 21st Century Leaders program and met a headstrong girl named Andrea. After forging a friendship for 3 summers, she helped me secure a position as a Resident Assistant. That started my journey in giving back to youth. Over 15 years I went from Resident Assistant to Class Facilitator to Institute Director and in September I joined the organization as Director of Programs and Operations.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
When you work with young people, it is easy to get attached. You can put your career on hold to stay and support youth that you have laughed, cried, and grown with. I did that for many years, but eventually, I had to move from position to position to have a greater impact. Every time I decided to leave my students, it was heartbreaking. You want to keep connected with all the young people you serve but the reality is that there is a small percentage that you can keep a relationship with when you move out of their daily lives.
The biggest lesson that I learned while working with youth is that you have to meet students where they are and have to show them you truly care in order to have an impactful relationship.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
The 21st Century Leaders program is a leadership program geared towards equipping Georgia high school students with the skills to achieve their post-secondary and career goals. I manage the planning and implementation of seminars, networking sessions, and hands-on learning opportunities that support the organization’s mission to create the next generations leaders.
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
Risk taking is not my strength. I’m a routine and disciplined man. My wife encouraged me to transition from YELLS to start my own organization. It was so hard to leave my students in that moment. However, my life was forever changed for the good. I have greater impact than I could have imagined.
With that being said, I think it’s important to have people around you that see your potential and can talk through decisions you are contemplating. Having people who support you as you pursue a risk or even decide not to is also important.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.21stcenturyleaders.org
- Instagram: @mapfoundation
Image Credits
Dimitri Crowder Photography
