Parent Leadership Training Institute of Alexandria

What is a parent leader? Who is a parent leader? Not someone who is a good parent although she is. Chyrell is the leader who changes the world for her community. A teenage mom who didn’t expect to finish high school. A homeless mom who didn’t expect to find a job. Chyrell took the help that was offered to finish school. She lived with her daughter in the Carpenter’s Shelter. She didn’t have money for the uniform required for the job that she was offered. She persuaded a social worker to provide the clothing. She got the job and works still. She now lives with her children in public housing. BUT changing her own life did not qualify Chyrell as a parent leader.

Since entering the Parent Leadership Training Institute of Alexandria, Chyrell has been changing the world for others. “PLTI gave me the opportunity to create the community I wanted to see.” She serves on the strategic planning committee for the Alexandria Redevelopment Housing Authority. She was appointed by the City Council as member of the Board of ARHA. She remains involved in Carpenter’s Shelter’s Mom’s program giving the benefit of her experience to those in after-care. When she was devastated by the drowning death of her friend’s child, within 2 days, she had arranged through Carpenter’s Shelter and the Department of Recreation for free swimming lessons for 7 children from subsidized housing with no extra cost to the City of Alexandria, by creative use of resources.

We will continue to benefit from Chyrell’s involvement in the Parent Leadership Training Institute of Alexandria for many years. She is the leader that PLTI seeks to train for the future of our children and families. Because of that, Chyrell was awarded the Rising Star Award by the Alexandria Commission For Women in March 2011.