Take a moment to see people from the inside-out. This is a raw moment from the Inside-Out Peer Helping Class. I want to say thanks to Michael for sharing his life with us. In this 5 minute video we get a glimpse of how cruel words can hurt for a life time. Make the choice today to pass on kind words to others. We can improve the world one life at a time.
Laughter is medicine for the soul. Knowing the pain many young people are facing today, I hope to provide an atmosphere of joy even if it lasts only a few minutes. When I was a hurting teen myself, it was in the moments of laughter that my heart was restored. I learned to martian kiss at my youth group & it brought so much joy to me. I am thankful for my youth group years. It was then that I learned to live, laugh & love. I
pass on the joy to you.
There is no greater honor than having former students surpass all you ever hoped you could become. Keenan Gibson & Drew Tawlks came to class today and I was struck with that feeling. In this video Keenan shares through his poetry a part of who he was, is and is becoming. Drew has been helping others as a missionary. Drew inspires us to make a positive change. This is a moment with two amazing guys who are still changing the world one life at a time.
Who am I to be writing a blog for others to read? That is a question I ask myself as I sit here and face the new year. The answer is simple. I am no one special. I am compelled to reach out to others by a promise I made as a 16 year old girl to help as many people as possible until the day I die. I went through a lot as a child and turned my life around at 16. I still have scars inside from all the pain I experienced as a young woman. I still have insecurities too. Rather than hide, I have chosen to wear my heart on my sleeve in the hopes that one person may benefit and discover they are not alone. Please know whatever it is you are going through, you are not alone. Our scars do not define us, they refine us. Whatever the pain is, it will be an asset later that you can, if you choose to, help others with. You see if I were to write my qualifications for you right now, you would expect to see a list of accolades. However, what fuels me is my list of failures and struggles. When I am weak, then I am strong. When I hurt, then I feel. When I struggle, then I grow. When I fail, then I learn. So in this blog I hope to grow along side of you. I hope to remind you that you are not alone. I hope to inspire you to be more than you ever thought you could be. We will walk together, "Each for the Other."
This video is made in honor of all my past, present, and future students. I want to show each and every one of them how much they truly matter to me. I always tell them that I cry after saying our final goodbye as our class ends, but they have never really seen what I feel when the room is empty. I always challenge them to be transparent and I say that I must model for them what that means. They truly leave a permanent imprint on my heart. They are my joy.
Valerie Erb was a broken teenager who turned her life around at the age of sixteen and has been helping
others do the same ever since.After changing her life, she made a vow to help as many people as possible until the day she dies. She wants to be the person that she needed around when she was struggling. She has helped many through her roles
as a public speaker, teacher, “at risk” student adviser, in-service trainer, workshop facilitator and youth leader.She is very candid about the struggles she faced throughout her life. She overcame many hardships and hopes to help others do the same. She imparts to each life she
touches the hope of being restored from the inside-out.She is most passionate about helping people become
all they are meant to be. She wrote Inside-Out Peer Helping Curriculum and created the Inside-Out Peer Helping Program, Training and Workshops in order to achieve that goal. She is thankful to have made meaningful connections world-wide. She loves to connect with anyone who wants to make a difference in the lives of others. "Be the Change"
