New Faces, New Goals, New Possibilities

At the Aum Foundation, we believe that exposure creates opportunity.

This month, our students stepped beyond the classroom to explore career pathways, strengthen their academic readiness, and continue building the foundation for future success.

These experiences are an important reminder that when young women are given access, support, and encouragement, their potential is limitless.

This month, we are proud to highlight Jamie Nettles, a dedicated Aum Foundation mentor who recently joined us on WAAY 31 to share her experience as a mentor and help raise awareness about the impact of our mentorship program. Thank you, Jamie, for being a champion for our students and helping us grow our community of mentors.

We are proud to celebrate Aum alumna Laniyah Oakley on her recent achievement! She was selected by the Birmingham Black Nurses Association Scholarship Committee as the recipient of the Emmanuel Washington Memorial Award, a recognition of her hard work, dedication, and commitment to excellence in the nursing profession. As she continues her journey from ADN to BSN, she exemplifies the determination and perseverance we strive to cultivate in all of our students. Congratulations on this well-deserved honor, we can't wait to see all that you accomplish next!

New Cohort Orientation

We kicked off the new program year by welcoming students from Huntsville and Selma for Orientation. Throughout the day, students learned how to create SMART goals, participated in a personality analysis to better understand their strengths and pathways to success, and connected with their peers through fun icebreakers led by our mentors and alumnae. It was an exciting start to the year as students began building relationships, setting goals, and preparing for the journey ahead.

One of the highlights of Orientation was our SMART Goals workshop, led by former Program Manager Lisa Whitehurst.

During the session, students learned how to create goals that are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound, helping them turn their ambitions into actionable plans for success.

As Lisa's final class with the Aum Foundation, it was a meaningful opportunity for her to share her knowledge and encouragement with our newest cohort before beginning her next chapter. We are grateful for her dedication to our students and the lasting impact she has made on the program.

We were excited to welcome back Tricia Collins to lead our Personality Analysis session during Orientation. A student favorite from last year,

Tricia guided the girls through a personality assessment designed to help them better understand their strengths, communication styles, and how they interact with others.

The session sparked thoughtful conversations, plenty of self-discovery, and gave students valuable insight they can use throughout the program year as they work toward their goals.

Curious about your own personality style? We encourage you to take the assessment yourself and discover what makes you uniquely you!

At Aum Foundation, we believe exposure creates opportunity.

This month, our students participated in a Career Exploration experience at Madison Hospital, where they gained firsthand insight into the many career paths available within healthcare. Through interactive activities, behind-the-scenes tours, and conversations with professionals, students were able to explore new possibilities, ask questions, and begin envisioning themselves in future careers. Opportunities like these are a vital part of our mission to equip young women with the knowledge, confidence, and connections needed to build successful futures.

We have an exciting update from our Selma program! After years of dedicated service to the Aum Foundation and the young women we serve, Gloria Simmons has officially retired. We are incredibly grateful for her leadership, commitment, and lasting impact on the program.

As we celebrate Gloria's contributions, we are also excited to welcome Antonette Williams as our new Selma Program Manager. Some of you may have already had the opportunity to meet Antonette at Graduation, and we look forward to the experience, passion, and support she will bring to our students and families in Selma.

We are still seeking mentors in the Decatur area to support our newest Pathway 2 Success students. If you or someone you know is interested in making a difference in a young woman's life, we would love to hear from you! We also want to wish Lisa Whitehurst the very best as she begins a new chapter. While Lisa has officially left the Aum Foundation staff, she remains committed to our mission and has signed up to continue serving as a mentor. Finally, many of you already know Alexa Huerta as our Program & Marketing Coordinator, and we are excited to share that she has stepped into the role of Program Manager.

We look forward to another year of growth and impact together.

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