Youths taking advantage of a second chance in life and the adults dedicated to seeing them succeed broke bread together Feb. 1 as Crossroads for Youth held its 7th Annual Diversity Dinner in Kresge Hall.
While the kids mingled and relaxed, dinner was served by members of Crossroads Board of Directors and volunteers from the agency’s Friends Committee
‘The kids are their guests tonight,? said Crossroads President Dr. Janet McPeek, of Oxford.
Serving the kids ‘teaches them that adults care about them,? she explained. ‘It shows them if you work hard and you try to do the right thing, people in the community do care, they do recognize that.?
The annual event celebrates diversity by featuring prominent speakers from different backgrounds who have worked hard to overcome various obstacles in life and succeed in their chosen professions.
‘Everyone comes and tells a story to the kids about what it means to be different, how to find out who you are and how to celebrate the differences that each of us in any community bring,? McPeek said.
This year’s speaker was Nancy Diehl, an assistant prosecutor for Wayne County with 25 years experience.
Diehl said she agreed to be the dinner’s keynote speaker because ‘I love kids.?
‘Most of my years at the prosecutor’s office have been focused on issues involving children,? she explained. ‘Young people deserve a second chance. They need help though. If there’s anything I can do to give them that, I’m going to be there, any time, any place.?
The essence of Diehl’s message to the kids at Crossroads was ‘take what life brings and go with the flow.?
Being a county prosecutor is ‘not what I ever dreamt I was going to be back when I was their age,? she said. ‘I wanted to be a physical education teacher and a coach. That was a my dream.?
But health issues prevented her from following that path. So, she decided to become a defense attorney ‘alla Perry Mason.?
‘It took a couple of years, but I figured out that wasn’t for me,? Diehl said.
In the end, she found the role of prosecutor to be a perfect fit for her talents and abilities. Using her life as an example, Diehl wanted the kids to see ‘there are lots of changes that can happen,? but ‘it doesn’t mean good things won’t come your way.?
She also stressed that education is one of the most important things in life because ‘nobody can ever take that from you.?
Diehl’s words really hit home with Crossroads young residents.
Ryan H. realized Diehl was right on the money when she said that kids who refuse to go to school as a way to hurt their parents are really hurting themselves.
‘That made an impression on me because I used to do that to my mom all the time,? he said. ‘I was making her mad, but I was really punishing myself. I never thought about it that way before.?
One of the points from Diehl’s speech that stuck with Josh M. was that when people work together as a team, diversity can help them ‘get things done more efficiently. . .because we all see things at different angles.?
Rachel K. said Diehl’s message that ‘you can do whatever you put your mind to no matter (your) religion, race or gender? provided her with some ‘inspiration? to keep pursuing her dream of becoming a therapist.
‘When you see people who have been through a lot of the things you have, it gives you a little bit more faith,? she said. ‘You believe you can actually achieve this in life.?