April 19, 2025 • 23 mins
Discovering meaningful ways to support young people during their critical transition to adulthood has never been more important. Shay Omokhomion joins us to reveal how her Good Soil program is transforming the lives of high school juniors and seniors through innovative mental health support and leadership development.
As a licensed LPC and former educator, Shay brings unique insight into what today's students truly need. She shares how her organization, Impact to Imprint, created G.U.D. Soil (standing for Grace, Understanding, and Discipline) specifically to address the gap between classroom education and real-world readiness. Through compelling stories, Shay explains how seemingly simple activities like "lunchtime table talks" provide powerful opportunities for students to build confidence, develop emotional regulation skills, and form trusting relationships with adults who care.
What makes Shay's approach remarkable is her focus on partnership rather than adding burdens to already overwhelmed educators. Having grown up in Oklahoma City and benefiting from community organizations herself, she understands firsthand the transformative power of mentorship and support during adolescence. "We are the seeds, and our children are the fertile soil," she explains, framing her work as both community service and ministry.
The conversation highlights how G.U.D. Soil engages students with relevant, practical skills that transfer from school settings to adulthood, helping them navigate challenges with newfound confidence. For listeners passionate about youth development, education, or mental health, this episode offers inspiring insights and actionable ways to support the next generation. Join the movement by sharing this episode or connecting directly with Shay to volunteer or contribute to this vital community initiative. Contact info: hello@impact2imprint.com Text: 405.697.1155
Thank you for listening! YouTube - @3KeysforYourJourney -Tune in for a new episode every Sunday. Connect with us at www.ocfo.info
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:13):
Are you ready to unlock your potential?
Tune in to Three Keys for yourJourney podcast, where business
owners share invaluable insightsand empowering strategies to
guide you towards success.
Based in Oklahoma City, ourhost, greg T Jones, will inspire
and motivate you every week.
Get ready to join ourconversation as we build
(00:36):
community together.
Speaker 2 (00:40):
All right, welcome to our special episode of Three
Keys for your Journey.
I'm your host, greg Jones, andI have sitting in front of me
today.
Speaker 3 (00:49):
Shay Omokomi.
Speaker 2 (00:52):
Y'all just don't understand what we got going on
today, man.
I mean we got a special,special, special guest.
I was trying to think Shay kindof getting prepared for the
show, like when did we firstmeet, do you remember?
Speaker 3 (01:05):
We saw.
I would say the first time wemet is through Restore, because
our children were interns atRestore.
Ah, that's right, so that's myfirst memory of meeting you.
Speaker 2 (01:19):
That's fantastic, and so Restore OKC is a local
organization that is in thecommunity in which we both live
and they do a lot of good work,and that is right, yeah, so both
of our kids were interns therewhen we first met Fantastic Well
for our listening audience.
I have gotten, over the courseof the last number of years, a
(01:41):
great opportunity to get to knowShea and what she's doing in
the community, and it'sfantastic.
You know not only a person thatkind of does what she says
she's going to do, but alsolives by faith, and she
understands that there aregreater purposes in life and so
really appreciate that.
A lot of folks, though, thatthis podcast might reach, they
(02:05):
don't know who you are, so howwould you introduce yourself?
Speaker 3 (02:08):
Well, I would say I'm Shay O'Macomian.
My first name is actuallyOmaniko Shayla O'Macomian, but
I'm born and raised here inOklahoma City.
I grew up in a small community,walnut Grove.
I also am a product of theFreedom Center, so spent a lot
(02:29):
of time in rearing on the on theeast side, doing community
service, just always giving backand really being able to
immerse myself in the importanceof community.
So that is really what my lifeis geared around, if you will.
So yeah, born and raised, a UCOalumni, also Langston alumni.
Speaker 2 (02:56):
Oh, so like L's in the air.
Speaker 3 (02:58):
L's in the air.
Yes, yes, yes.
Speaker 2 (03:01):
It's interesting.
We were just at a weddingyesterday that was on the
backside of Stillwater and wehad to go down 33.
And boy, my wife also went toLangston.
Boy, she went past us.
She was like put the.
Speaker 3 (03:12):
L's up.
I'm like all right, Gots toEvery time Put the L's up.
Speaker 2 (03:16):
All right.
So, Shay, you're not only afantastic individual and person,
but you've got a business, anorganization.
Tell us a little bit about yourbusiness.
Speaker 3 (03:31):
Yes, well, first of all, greg, thank you so much for
having me on.
Thank you for being a greatmentor and support throughout
this journey and justcontinually pouring in and
developing the relationshipDefinitely, definitely
appreciate that.
(03:51):
So I have a mental healthwellness private practice named
Impact to Imprint and the wholepurpose of that is to create a
space that reimagines andreintroduces, represent, if you
will, mental health in all ofthe many facets it affects our
(04:17):
day to day.
We've been so stigmatized bymental health that it sometimes
makes us uncomfortable to havethose conversations or go into
those spaces just because of thestigmas that follow it.
So my practice is birthed outof the needs that I see in the
(04:40):
community.
I have four DBAs under mycommunity.
I have four DBAs under myprivate practice that the first
one is parenting while adulting.
I have a very special place inmy heart for parents.
I am a parent, single parent,all of those things and really
trying to navigate liferesponsible for other humans and
(05:01):
on top of being responsible foryourself, can be daunting and
confusing and scary sometimes.
So it is creating a space wherewe can debunk all of the
notions that sometimes come withfeeling shame or not doing
parenting perfectly, all ofthose things.
(05:22):
It's a beautiful space.
I love it so much.
My second one is Good Soil.
That's G-U-D, which stands forGrace, understanding and
Discipline, and that is gearedtowards high school students
specifically for me, for me,junior and seniors.
A lot what I've seen,especially being a former
(05:43):
educator, a lot of what I'veseen is that we've spent a lot
of time focused on the rearingof students, you know, catching
them in the early age, which isreally, really important.
But I saw, as I continue tospend time and work within the
education system, those that arenow transitioning to adulthood
not prepared and they fall intothe trappings and the pitfalls.
(06:05):
So I really focus on thattransitional moment for juniors
and seniors as they prep for anew journey in their life.
I have impactful impressions.
That is my holistic wellnesspractice.
You know, everything startswith a thought, you know, and so
, as we think through our as we,impactful impressions is for
(06:31):
that is for the individual 101s,the therapy sessions that is
needed and that's what that isfocused on, and then I do
contracting on the side.
Speaker 2 (06:47):
And I'm going to say wow.
Speaker 3 (06:48):
It's a lie, I know Wow.
Speaker 2 (06:52):
I mean that's awesome and all out of a need of what
you see that needs to happenwithin our community.
So currently are you servingright here in the Oklahoma City
area?
Speaker 3 (07:04):
Yes, this is my primary area.
Last year I did a lot oftraveling to just different
states.
That was a contract thing thatI did, I really love it.
States that was a contractthing that I did, I really love
it.
Speaker 2 (07:15):
But the more I travel out, the more I become
passionate about creating thespace here, so I've made
Oklahoma City my primary focus.
Well, that's awesome, and Iknow today our focus is really
on one of those entities whichis good soil, and you said
that's grace understanding anddiscipline and really focused on
(07:39):
juniors and seniors in highschool.
Speaker 3 (07:42):
Yes it.
It focuses on instillingleadership, development,
mentorship and mental healthsupport.
I really it this.
(08:03):
This initiative is due to mebeing a product of all of the
very things that I want tocreate.
It was community, it waseducators, it was elders, it was
all these folks that wrappedaround me, poured into me, even
when I tried to reject it.
That actually allows me to sitin this seat and do the work
that I do, so understanding theimportance of what that is like
in retrospect.
I didn't always understand itright then in the moment, but
(08:26):
now I really understand that,and so, as I'm in these school
systems and or the schools thatI partner with, I'm able to see
that, like the yearn and thehunger that the youth really
want for that, but not havingthe trusting connections to
allow themselves to be open toreceiving it.
Speaker 2 (08:47):
So let's talk about you.
Know strategy wise, you'veobviously got your audience
juniors and seniors.
Tell me how.
How do you, once you becomepartnered with a particular
school, you know what's thefirst day look like when you're
spending time with these kids?
Speaker 3 (09:05):
Yes.
So it is first and foremostimportant for me to build trust.
So when I first go into thesesituations, it's just about
getting to know the kids, whatis relevant to them, because
that's another important thing.
We can give a lot of greatstuff, but if it's not relevant
to them, then it just defeatsthe purpose and the goal of what
(09:27):
we want to accomplish.
Observe them and get to knowtheir names and what they're
interested in, and introducemyself and become someone that
they, that they can see, thatthey can feel comfortable around
and really breaking the ice, ifyou will.
(09:48):
And so that happens.
You know, I will say, for twoor three weeks at least, just
going in, nothing else but justrapport building.
Rapport building and this isduring, like my lunchtime table
talks.
I and we'll get into that.
But, um, when it comes to, inthat regard, going in building
(10:09):
those relationships and as I getthem familiar with me, then
it's the implementation of the,the activities and programs that
we do.
Speaker 2 (10:18):
Let's talk about some of that.
So, once you build arelationship, you've had that
time.
You know what are some of thenext things.
Well, let me, let me ask thisquestion Maybe it's a better way
, like ultimately, you know, Iknow it's a resource for the
kids, but what is it that you'retrying to get accomplished, not
just in your business, but forthe kids, like for that typical
(10:39):
kid or young adult?
What is potential outcomes thatyou'd like to see?
Speaker 3 (10:46):
Yes, and thank you for asking that question.
The goal is to to serve justthe school community period.
Serve just the school communityperiod.
Again, as a former educator, Ihave a love, a deep love, and
respect for educators because,especially with the state of
education now, teachers andeducators are wearing hats that
(11:09):
they didn't sign up for.
That is beyond their scope andthey still have to.
It still falls on them and soand they sometimes get a lot of
backlash and criticism for it aswell education
(11:38):
community-oriented folks thatjust feel overwhelmed and
overtaken by just the immenselike need of the students.
So it was saying like, hey, howcan I step in the gap for these
teachers versus adding more,like how can I meet them in
partnership?
And so that was the first stepLike, what can I do to be an
assistant and be a good partner?
(11:58):
And my which I did not mentionthis, I'm a licensed LPC and the
majority of my time has beenspent with family and youth,
especially doing like home-basedtherapy, again, school-based
therapy, all these differentthings.
So I come with a skill set tobe able to really know how to
(12:21):
build connections andrelationships in a very unique
way that aren't taught toeducators and things like that,
because again, it's not theirscope.
So that was the first part.
So that was the first part, andthen I would say the other part
, repeat the part, the questionI didn't get.
Speaker 2 (12:42):
Well, no, it's just what is the end goal?
Speaker 3 (12:45):
for the students, thank you to feel more confident
, more prepared and have anetwork and a community that
they can pull from.
One of the things is a lot ofstudents would say how alone
they feel.
(13:05):
They don't.
They felt like the adults werehypocrites, and so it was just
this isolation and it was makingdecisions based off of that
anger and rejection that theyfelt, and so it was really to
speak to that Like, if we can,if that is how they're feeling,
what can be implemented that wecan help course correct some of
(13:26):
that stuff Especially.
Also, they understand theroutine of going to school, but
they don't understand how tonavigate adulthood.
They don't understand what itlooks like for gainful
employment and to reach thesegoals.
They just want to make money,but no, it's a vague plan on how
to get there, and when you askthem what that looks like,
(13:48):
they're like well, I don't know.
I'm just going to figure it out.
We know that's not how lifeworks and so it's like well,
these are things, these, these Ican help at least give some
knowledge, develop some skillset that, as some of these
adversities that just come withlife is going to come at them,
they will have some knowledge.
(14:09):
It won't be a blank slate, andso that is.
That is the goal is to helpwith emotional regulation.
It is to help with helpregulation.
It is to help with creativeproblem solving.
It is to help with confidenceand self-worth.
Speaker 2 (14:25):
So, after you get a chance to spend time with this,
is it typically that you spend,or ideally, let me say it that
way Ideally is it six months.
Is it based around the schoolyear, kind of how do you work
with these kids?
Is it through the summer, fallbreak, spring break?
Tell me, kind of how that works.
Speaker 3 (14:44):
So it's designed to be around the school year and
one of the reasons why Ispecifically and intentionally
wanted it to be around theschool year is because, again,
it's the teaching them theseskills in real time.
It's one thing to talk about itand intellectually what this
looks like and dream about whatthis looks like, but what are
(15:07):
the practical skills that we canactually develop in real time?
How can what you're learninghere be developed in school that
also can be transferable skillswhen you leave?
So executive functioning is abig thing.
Leadership development is a bigthing.
If you can do these things hereon the level that you're on now
(15:30):
, those things can continue todevelop and grow and they will
look different, but theframework will still be the same
.
If I could step back and let youknow what this actually looks
like in the school, so I havelunchtime table talks and this
is my chance to engage studentsduring their lunchtime.
(15:50):
One thing that I did is I wouldhave like hot meals catered for
them and we would be in adesignated area and so, as
they're eating, we're fillingthe time with these really high.
Well, it's, it's it's popularquick, intense type of thought
(16:11):
provoking questions andconversation starters, if you
will, questions and conversationstarters, if you will.
And they love that so muchbecause we all know that it is
just something spiritual aboutbreaking bread and having
thought-provoking conversations.
So that is something that thechildren really, really loved.
When my funds ran out and Iwasn't able to do that anymore,
they were like Ms Shea, when areyou bringing this back?
(16:33):
We miss this so much.
Like, are you going to do it?
Like when, like before Igraduate, are you going to do it
again?
So it's the immediate feedbackof a place where they feel safe,
they can have their bellies,fed with really good food and
then have conversations thatthey're probably not having
outside of that.
The second part of that ispartnering with the Student
(16:57):
Leadership Council for theseniors.
So that is a closed group andthat one is a bit more
structured, and so, again,nothing in the world is free.
So it is providing like snackswhile we are in that time and
also to encourage engagement,having like raffles at the end
(17:21):
of each class, giving like a $10gift card to go and purchase
something.
You know, maybe it's Sonic,maybe it's just a Visa card or
something from OnCue, just localplaces that's within their
proximity that they can use thatfor and they feel motivated to
actually participate, to be apart of, and so those things
(17:42):
cost money.
The second thing would bededicated volunteers.
So right now I do these thingson my own and I definitely love
to do it, but I would definitelylove to have other bring in
other folks that is just aspassionate about community,
(18:04):
passionate about youth,passionate about educators and
education in general, just tocome in and be a part and add
the value that they bring tothat space as well.
Speaker 2 (18:15):
I think this is fantastic, so that they bring to
that space as well.
I think this is fantastic and Iknow recently you just applied
for what they call anon-dilutive grant, and that's a
grant that doesn't have to bepaid back, because there are
different types of grants Forthose of you that are not aware
of that.
There are different types ofgrants.
Some are just like technicalassistance, where you get
someone to come in and kind ofassist you with parts of your
(18:36):
business.
And then there's thesenon-dilutive grants that
actually bring in capital, asShea was saying, money that you
don't have to pay back.
And I know recently you hadapplied for a pretty significant
amount of money to get this offthe ground and unfortunately,
was not able to receive that.
But you also have, you know,took the time to put that
together.
I know I actually looked atthat as well.
(18:58):
Um and uh, you know I like tolet our listening audience know
it was about $30,000.
Um, and I'm I am encouraging.
If you're listening to thispodcast, you're hearing this um,
this is something that we needin our community and I think, um
, shay and and this, uh, goodSoil, uhil, part of her
(19:19):
organization, is a great placeto do that.
And so you know, I ask you tojust kind of think about, you
know, reaching into yourpocketbooks, whether you got,
you know, $10,000, whether youonly got $5.
I mean, it doesn't matter, butthis is something that I think
is important to our communityand has an opportunity to really
(19:40):
make an impact.
It's interesting how we thinkabout the name of your, your
business, and so I'm excitedabout the opportunity to be able
to do that.
And so you know what I like todo, shay, I'm just going to say
to our listening audience forevery download of this podcast,
(20:04):
we're going to donate $50.
Thank you.
So, as a starting point, foreverybody that downloads this
podcast so that means you canshare the podcast with your
family, with your friends, withyour neighbors we're going to
make a donation from Three Keysto your Journey, to what you're
doing.
Now, shay, somebody's out therelike well, I want to give
directly.
How do they get in touch withyou?
They want to volunteer, theywant to potentially write a
(20:25):
check or send you some money.
How do they get in contact withyou?
Speaker 3 (20:28):
Well, thank you so much.
The best way would be tocontact me via email, and that
is hello at impact2imprintcom.
That's hello at impactI-M-P-A-C-T, the number two
(20:57):
imprint, i-m-p-r-i-n-t as well,and that number is 405-697-1155.
Speaker 2 (21:04):
Well, shea, thank you for sharing that information
again for our listening audience.
We'll have all those details,the email address, the phone
number.
We'll have all those detailsthat we'll put in our notes, in
our blog, all that informationabout what Shay is doing.
But I'm excited.
I'm excited.
This is the time of the yearwhere we have the opportunity to
(21:27):
really be a blessing to her,and so if you're out there
listening to this, you've gotwind of this.
Please take some time out toshare this podcast with someone
else.
But also reach into your pocket, get out your phone, send her a
text and say how can I help?
How can I help?
I almost want to hashtag that.
(21:49):
How can I help?
Speaker 1 (21:50):
How can I help good soil?
Speaker 2 (21:52):
How can I help with some good soil?
I don't know I'm going to comeup with something, but I love
that.
But I love what you're doing,anything else that you want to
leave our audience with beforewe get off?
Speaker 3 (22:02):
Now, I love what you said and, again, this was like
you said.
This was a faith-centeredinitiative, because we are the
seeds and our children are thefertile soil, and so this is
ministry work, and so if you area person that believe in that,
(22:23):
please reach out to me.
If you'd like to collaborate orpartner in any way, form or
fashion, please reach out to me,for that as well.
I'm very much open to that.
This is just about doing thework and continuing to build a
strong legacy that starts withour youth.
Speaker 2 (22:42):
All right, I'm Greg Jones, your host, with Three
Keys for your Journey.
We look forward to seeing younext time.
Speaker 1 (22:56):
Thanks for joining Three Keys for your Journey.
Journey tune in next time foranother episode.
Are you ready to unlock your potential?
Tune in to Three Keys for yourJourney podcast, where business
owners share invaluable insightsand empowering strategies to
guide you towards success.
Based in Oklahoma City, ourhost, greg T Jones, will inspire
and motivate you every week.
Get ready to join ourconversation as we build
(00:36):
community together.
Speaker 2 (00:40):
All right, welcome to our special episode of Three
Keys for your Journey.
I'm your host, greg Jones, andI have sitting in front of me
today.
Speaker 3 (00:49):
Shay Omokomi.
Speaker 2 (00:52):
Y'all just don't understand what we got going on
today, man.
I mean we got a special,special, special guest.
I was trying to think Shay kindof getting prepared for the
show, like when did we firstmeet, do you remember?
Speaker 3 (01:05):
We saw.
I would say the first time wemet is through Restore, because
our children were interns atRestore.
Ah, that's right, so that's myfirst memory of meeting you.
Speaker 2 (01:19):
That's fantastic, and so Restore OKC is a local
organization that is in thecommunity in which we both live
and they do a lot of good work,and that is right, yeah, so both
of our kids were interns therewhen we first met Fantastic Well
for our listening audience.
I have gotten, over the courseof the last number of years, a
(01:41):
great opportunity to get to knowShea and what she's doing in
the community, and it'sfantastic.
You know not only a person thatkind of does what she says
she's going to do, but alsolives by faith, and she
understands that there aregreater purposes in life and so
really appreciate that.
A lot of folks, though, thatthis podcast might reach, they
(02:05):
don't know who you are, so howwould you introduce yourself?
Speaker 3 (02:08):
Well, I would say I'm Shay O'Macomian.
My first name is actuallyOmaniko Shayla O'Macomian, but
I'm born and raised here inOklahoma City.
I grew up in a small community,walnut Grove.
I also am a product of theFreedom Center, so spent a lot
(02:29):
of time in rearing on the on theeast side, doing community
service, just always giving backand really being able to
immerse myself in the importanceof community.
So that is really what my lifeis geared around, if you will.
So yeah, born and raised, a UCOalumni, also Langston alumni.
Speaker 2 (02:56):
Oh, so like L's in the air.
Speaker 3 (02:58):
L's in the air.
Yes, yes, yes.
Speaker 2 (03:01):
It's interesting.
We were just at a weddingyesterday that was on the
backside of Stillwater and wehad to go down 33.
And boy, my wife also went toLangston.
Boy, she went past us.
She was like put the.
Speaker 3 (03:12):
L's up.
I'm like all right, Gots toEvery time Put the L's up.
Speaker 2 (03:16):
All right.
So, Shay, you're not only afantastic individual and person,
but you've got a business, anorganization.
Tell us a little bit about yourbusiness.
Speaker 3 (03:31):
Yes, well, first of all, greg, thank you so much for
having me on.
Thank you for being a greatmentor and support throughout
this journey and justcontinually pouring in and
developing the relationshipDefinitely, definitely
appreciate that.
(03:51):
So I have a mental healthwellness private practice named
Impact to Imprint and the wholepurpose of that is to create a
space that reimagines andreintroduces, represent, if you
will, mental health in all ofthe many facets it affects our
(04:17):
day to day.
We've been so stigmatized bymental health that it sometimes
makes us uncomfortable to havethose conversations or go into
those spaces just because of thestigmas that follow it.
So my practice is birthed outof the needs that I see in the
(04:40):
community.
I have four DBAs under mycommunity.
I have four DBAs under myprivate practice that the first
one is parenting while adulting.
I have a very special place inmy heart for parents.
I am a parent, single parent,all of those things and really
trying to navigate liferesponsible for other humans and
(05:01):
on top of being responsible foryourself, can be daunting and
confusing and scary sometimes.
So it is creating a space wherewe can debunk all of the
notions that sometimes come withfeeling shame or not doing
parenting perfectly, all ofthose things.
(05:22):
It's a beautiful space.
I love it so much.
My second one is Good Soil.
That's G-U-D, which stands forGrace, understanding and
Discipline, and that is gearedtowards high school students
specifically for me, for me,junior and seniors.
A lot what I've seen,especially being a former
(05:43):
educator, a lot of what I'veseen is that we've spent a lot
of time focused on the rearingof students, you know, catching
them in the early age, which isreally, really important.
But I saw, as I continue tospend time and work within the
education system, those that arenow transitioning to adulthood
not prepared and they fall intothe trappings and the pitfalls.
(06:05):
So I really focus on thattransitional moment for juniors
and seniors as they prep for anew journey in their life.
I have impactful impressions.
That is my holistic wellnesspractice.
You know, everything startswith a thought, you know, and so
, as we think through our as we,impactful impressions is for
(06:31):
that is for the individual 101s,the therapy sessions that is
needed and that's what that isfocused on, and then I do
contracting on the side.
Speaker 2 (06:47):
And I'm going to say wow.
Speaker 3 (06:48):
It's a lie, I know Wow.
Speaker 2 (06:52):
I mean that's awesome and all out of a need of what
you see that needs to happenwithin our community.
So currently are you servingright here in the Oklahoma City
area?
Speaker 3 (07:04):
Yes, this is my primary area.
Last year I did a lot oftraveling to just different
states.
That was a contract thing thatI did, I really love it.
States that was a contractthing that I did, I really love
it.
Speaker 2 (07:15):
But the more I travel out, the more I become
passionate about creating thespace here, so I've made
Oklahoma City my primary focus.
Well, that's awesome, and Iknow today our focus is really
on one of those entities whichis good soil, and you said
that's grace understanding anddiscipline and really focused on
(07:39):
juniors and seniors in highschool.
Speaker 3 (07:42):
Yes it.
It focuses on instillingleadership, development,
mentorship and mental healthsupport.
I really it this.
(08:03):
This initiative is due to mebeing a product of all of the
very things that I want tocreate.
It was community, it waseducators, it was elders, it was
all these folks that wrappedaround me, poured into me, even
when I tried to reject it.
That actually allows me to sitin this seat and do the work
that I do, so understanding theimportance of what that is like
in retrospect.
I didn't always understand itright then in the moment, but
(08:26):
now I really understand that,and so, as I'm in these school
systems and or the schools thatI partner with, I'm able to see
that, like the yearn and thehunger that the youth really
want for that, but not havingthe trusting connections to
allow themselves to be open toreceiving it.
Speaker 2 (08:47):
So let's talk about you.
Know strategy wise, you'veobviously got your audience
juniors and seniors.
Tell me how.
How do you, once you becomepartnered with a particular
school, you know what's thefirst day look like when you're
spending time with these kids?
Speaker 3 (09:05):
Yes.
So it is first and foremostimportant for me to build trust.
So when I first go into thesesituations, it's just about
getting to know the kids, whatis relevant to them, because
that's another important thing.
We can give a lot of greatstuff, but if it's not relevant
to them, then it just defeatsthe purpose and the goal of what
(09:27):
we want to accomplish.
Observe them and get to knowtheir names and what they're
interested in, and introducemyself and become someone that
they, that they can see, thatthey can feel comfortable around
and really breaking the ice, ifyou will.
(09:48):
And so that happens.
You know, I will say, for twoor three weeks at least, just
going in, nothing else but justrapport building.
Rapport building and this isduring, like my lunchtime table
talks.
I and we'll get into that.
But, um, when it comes to, inthat regard, going in building
(10:09):
those relationships and as I getthem familiar with me, then
it's the implementation of the,the activities and programs that
we do.
Speaker 2 (10:18):
Let's talk about some of that.
So, once you build arelationship, you've had that
time.
You know what are some of thenext things.
Well, let me, let me ask thisquestion Maybe it's a better way
, like ultimately, you know, Iknow it's a resource for the
kids, but what is it that you'retrying to get accomplished, not
just in your business, but forthe kids, like for that typical
(10:39):
kid or young adult?
What is potential outcomes thatyou'd like to see?
Speaker 3 (10:46):
Yes, and thank you for asking that question.
The goal is to to serve justthe school community period.
Serve just the school communityperiod.
Again, as a former educator, Ihave a love, a deep love, and
respect for educators because,especially with the state of
education now, teachers andeducators are wearing hats that
(11:09):
they didn't sign up for.
That is beyond their scope andthey still have to.
It still falls on them and soand they sometimes get a lot of
backlash and criticism for it aswell education
(11:38):
community-oriented folks thatjust feel overwhelmed and
overtaken by just the immenselike need of the students.
So it was saying like, hey, howcan I step in the gap for these
teachers versus adding more,like how can I meet them in
partnership?
And so that was the first stepLike, what can I do to be an
assistant and be a good partner?
(11:58):
And my which I did not mentionthis, I'm a licensed LPC and the
majority of my time has beenspent with family and youth,
especially doing like home-basedtherapy, again, school-based
therapy, all these differentthings.
So I come with a skill set tobe able to really know how to
(12:21):
build connections andrelationships in a very unique
way that aren't taught toeducators and things like that,
because again, it's not theirscope.
So that was the first part.
So that was the first part, andthen I would say the other part
, repeat the part, the questionI didn't get.
Speaker 2 (12:42):
Well, no, it's just what is the end goal?
Speaker 3 (12:45):
for the students, thank you to feel more confident
, more prepared and have anetwork and a community that
they can pull from.
One of the things is a lot ofstudents would say how alone
they feel.
(13:05):
They don't.
They felt like the adults werehypocrites, and so it was just
this isolation and it was makingdecisions based off of that
anger and rejection that theyfelt, and so it was really to
speak to that Like, if we can,if that is how they're feeling,
what can be implemented that wecan help course correct some of
(13:26):
that stuff Especially.
Also, they understand theroutine of going to school, but
they don't understand how tonavigate adulthood.
They don't understand what itlooks like for gainful
employment and to reach thesegoals.
They just want to make money,but no, it's a vague plan on how
to get there, and when you askthem what that looks like,
(13:48):
they're like well, I don't know.
I'm just going to figure it out.
We know that's not how lifeworks and so it's like well,
these are things, these, these Ican help at least give some
knowledge, develop some skillset that, as some of these
adversities that just come withlife is going to come at them,
they will have some knowledge.
(14:09):
It won't be a blank slate, andso that is.
That is the goal is to helpwith emotional regulation.
It is to help with helpregulation.
It is to help with creativeproblem solving.
It is to help with confidenceand self-worth.
Speaker 2 (14:25):
So, after you get a chance to spend time with this,
is it typically that you spend,or ideally, let me say it that
way Ideally is it six months.
Is it based around the schoolyear, kind of how do you work
with these kids?
Is it through the summer, fallbreak, spring break?
Tell me, kind of how that works.
Speaker 3 (14:44):
So it's designed to be around the school year and
one of the reasons why Ispecifically and intentionally
wanted it to be around theschool year is because, again,
it's the teaching them theseskills in real time.
It's one thing to talk about itand intellectually what this
looks like and dream about whatthis looks like, but what are
(15:07):
the practical skills that we canactually develop in real time?
How can what you're learninghere be developed in school that
also can be transferable skillswhen you leave?
So executive functioning is abig thing.
Leadership development is a bigthing.
If you can do these things hereon the level that you're on now
(15:30):
, those things can continue todevelop and grow and they will
look different, but theframework will still be the same
.
If I could step back and let youknow what this actually looks
like in the school, so I havelunchtime table talks and this
is my chance to engage studentsduring their lunchtime.
(15:50):
One thing that I did is I wouldhave like hot meals catered for
them and we would be in adesignated area and so, as
they're eating, we're fillingthe time with these really high.
Well, it's, it's it's popularquick, intense type of thought
(16:11):
provoking questions andconversation starters, if you
will, questions and conversationstarters, if you will.
And they love that so muchbecause we all know that it is
just something spiritual aboutbreaking bread and having
thought-provoking conversations.
So that is something that thechildren really, really loved.
When my funds ran out and Iwasn't able to do that anymore,
they were like Ms Shea, when areyou bringing this back?
(16:33):
We miss this so much.
Like, are you going to do it?
Like when, like before Igraduate, are you going to do it
again?
So it's the immediate feedbackof a place where they feel safe,
they can have their bellies,fed with really good food and
then have conversations thatthey're probably not having
outside of that.
The second part of that ispartnering with the Student
(16:57):
Leadership Council for theseniors.
So that is a closed group andthat one is a bit more
structured, and so, again,nothing in the world is free.
So it is providing like snackswhile we are in that time and
also to encourage engagement,having like raffles at the end
(17:21):
of each class, giving like a $10gift card to go and purchase
something.
You know, maybe it's Sonic,maybe it's just a Visa card or
something from OnCue, just localplaces that's within their
proximity that they can use thatfor and they feel motivated to
actually participate, to be apart of, and so those things
(17:42):
cost money.
The second thing would bededicated volunteers.
So right now I do these thingson my own and I definitely love
to do it, but I would definitelylove to have other bring in
other folks that is just aspassionate about community,
(18:04):
passionate about youth,passionate about educators and
education in general, just tocome in and be a part and add
the value that they bring tothat space as well.
Speaker 2 (18:15):
I think this is fantastic, so that they bring to
that space as well.
I think this is fantastic and Iknow recently you just applied
for what they call anon-dilutive grant, and that's a
grant that doesn't have to bepaid back, because there are
different types of grants Forthose of you that are not aware
of that.
There are different types ofgrants.
Some are just like technicalassistance, where you get
someone to come in and kind ofassist you with parts of your
(18:36):
business.
And then there's thesenon-dilutive grants that
actually bring in capital, asShea was saying, money that you
don't have to pay back.
And I know recently you hadapplied for a pretty significant
amount of money to get this offthe ground and unfortunately,
was not able to receive that.
But you also have, you know,took the time to put that
together.
I know I actually looked atthat as well.
(18:58):
Um and uh, you know I like tolet our listening audience know
it was about $30,000.
Um, and I'm I am encouraging.
If you're listening to thispodcast, you're hearing this um,
this is something that we needin our community and I think, um
, shay and and this, uh, goodSoil, uhil, part of her
(19:19):
organization, is a great placeto do that.
And so you know, I ask you tojust kind of think about, you
know, reaching into yourpocketbooks, whether you got,
you know, $10,000, whether youonly got $5.
I mean, it doesn't matter, butthis is something that I think
is important to our communityand has an opportunity to really
(19:40):
make an impact.
It's interesting how we thinkabout the name of your, your
business, and so I'm excitedabout the opportunity to be able
to do that.
And so you know what I like todo, shay, I'm just going to say
to our listening audience forevery download of this podcast,
(20:04):
we're going to donate $50.
Thank you.
So, as a starting point, foreverybody that downloads this
podcast so that means you canshare the podcast with your
family, with your friends, withyour neighbors we're going to
make a donation from Three Keysto your Journey, to what you're
doing.
Now, shay, somebody's out therelike well, I want to give
directly.
How do they get in touch withyou?
They want to volunteer, theywant to potentially write a
(20:25):
check or send you some money.
How do they get in contact withyou?
Speaker 3 (20:28):
Well, thank you so much.
The best way would be tocontact me via email, and that
is hello at impact2imprintcom.
That's hello at impactI-M-P-A-C-T, the number two
(20:57):
imprint, i-m-p-r-i-n-t as well,and that number is 405-697-1155.
Speaker 2 (21:04):
Well, shea, thank you for sharing that information
again for our listening audience.
We'll have all those details,the email address, the phone
number.
We'll have all those detailsthat we'll put in our notes, in
our blog, all that informationabout what Shay is doing.
But I'm excited.
I'm excited.
This is the time of the yearwhere we have the opportunity to
(21:27):
really be a blessing to her,and so if you're out there
listening to this, you've gotwind of this.
Please take some time out toshare this podcast with someone
else.
But also reach into your pocket, get out your phone, send her a
text and say how can I help?
How can I help?
I almost want to hashtag that.
(21:49):
How can I help?
Speaker 1 (21:50):
How can I help good soil?
Speaker 2 (21:52):
How can I help with some good soil?
I don't know I'm going to comeup with something, but I love
that.
But I love what you're doing,anything else that you want to
leave our audience with beforewe get off?
Speaker 3 (22:02):
Now, I love what you said and, again, this was like
you said.
This was a faith-centeredinitiative, because we are the
seeds and our children are thefertile soil, and so this is
ministry work, and so if you area person that believe in that,
(22:23):
please reach out to me.
If you'd like to collaborate orpartner in any way, form or
fashion, please reach out to me,for that as well.
I'm very much open to that.
This is just about doing thework and continuing to build a
strong legacy that starts withour youth.
Speaker 2 (22:42):
All right, I'm Greg Jones, your host, with Three
Keys for your Journey.
We look forward to seeing younext time.
Speaker 1 (22:56):
Thanks for joining Three Keys for your Journey.
Journey tune in next time foranother episode.
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