Meet Our Mentors
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The strength of the Y.E.S. Mentor Group is found in the caring and committed people who willingly give their time, knowledge, encouragement, and hearts to support our youth. Our mentors are more than volunteers—they are role models, advocates, encouragers, listeners, and trusted adults who believe in the potential of every young person we serve.
Our mentors demonstrate genuine compassion by meeting students where they are, listening without judgment, celebrating their accomplishments, and encouraging them through challenges. They understand that sometimes the greatest difference an adult can make in a young person's life is simply being present, consistent, and willing to listen.
Shalekka Allen
Texas ACE Site Coordinator
Meet Our Mentor: Shalekka Allen
Shalekka Allen brings more than 20 years of experience in criminal justice, human services, and youth development to her role as a mentor. She is a 2010 graduate of Sam Houston State University, where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice. Since 2023, Shalekka has served as the Texas ACE Site Coordinator at Daingerfield High School, where she works closely with students and helps connect them with resources, enrichment opportunities, guidance, and support to promote their academic and personal success.
Shalekka began her professional career in 2005 and has served in several roles throughout the criminal justice and human services fields, including Correctional Officer, CPS Officer, Foster Care Caseworker, Substance Abuse Counselor Intern, and Parole Officer, a position she held for six years. Her diverse professional background has given her valuable insight into many of the challenges young people and families face and has strengthened her commitment to providing positive guidance, encouragement, accountability, and support.
Her areas of expertise include youth development, mentoring, relationship building, conflict resolution, leadership, personal accountability, life skills, and connecting individuals and families with resources and opportunities. She uses these experiences to help young people recognize their strengths, work through challenges, make positive choices, and understand the importance of setting goals for their future.
Shalekka approaches mentoring with encouragement, compassion, and a strong emphasis on building meaningful relationships. She believes every young person has potential and that sometimes they simply need someone who will believe in them, listen without judgment, and encourage them to keep moving forward. She strives to create an environment where youth feel valued, respected, heard, and empowered to become the best versions of themselves.
Passionate about serving others and giving back to her community, Shalekka has a genuine love for children and finds great joy in watching them grow, succeed, and accomplish their goals. She is family-oriented, a woman of faith, and a proud member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated. She believes service is one of the most meaningful ways a person can make a lasting difference in the lives of others.
For Shalekka, mentorship is an opportunity to make sure young people know that someone sees their potential and cares about their future. Whether it is watching a student gain confidence, overcome an obstacle, achieve a goal, or simply smile because someone took the time to listen, those moments are what make mentoring meaningful to her.
Her goal as a mentor is to encourage, empower, and inspire every young person she encounters. Above all, she wants them to know that their future matters, their voice matters, and they are capable of achieving more than they may sometimes believe is possible.
Michael Boyd
Meet Our Mentor: Michael Boyd
Michael Boyd is a proud 2001 graduate of Daingerfield High School in Daingerfield, Texas. Following graduation, he earned a full athletic scholarship to Baylor University in Waco, Texas, where he played football while pursuing his education. In 2006, Michael earned his degree in Business Communications.
A devoted husband to Jessica Roney-Boyd and proud father of Lauren and Preston Boyd, Michael values family, service, education, health, and community. His passion for supporting young people has been demonstrated through years of volunteer service as a Little League football coach, where he used athletics as an opportunity to teach discipline, teamwork, perseverance, accountability, and good sportsmanship.
Michael is deeply committed to the mission of A Gentle Touch Works, Inc. (AGTW), generously contributing his time, leadership, talents, and resources to help strengthen the organization and expand its impact. He currently serves as President of the AGTW Board of Directors and as a mentor with the Y.E.S. Mentor Group, where he works to encourage and guide young men as they develop confidence, character, responsibility, and leadership skills.
Professionally, Michael is employed by Westlake Chemical Corporation in Longview, Texas, where he is recognized for his commitment to integrity and professionalism. The same qualities that guide him in his career are reflected in his approach to mentorship and community service.
For Michael, mentorship is an opportunity to invest in the next generation. Through consistency, encouragement, and positive example, he strives to help young people recognize their potential, make responsible choices, and understand the importance of becoming productive leaders within their families and communities. His dedication to giving back reflects a genuine desire to uplift others and create a lasting impact for generations to come.
Brenda Colbert
Homemaker
Meet Our Mentor: Brenda Colbert
Brenda Colbert is a dedicated community servant who believes in the importance of encouraging, supporting, and investing in young people. With a heart for helping others, she brings compassion, wisdom, patience, and a genuine commitment to making a positive difference in the lives of youth and families.
Brenda understands that mentorship is about more than offering advice—it is about building meaningful relationships, being present, listening, and helping young people recognize their value and potential. She believes every young person deserves caring adults who will encourage them, hold them accountable, celebrate their accomplishments, and help guide them through life's challenges.
As a mentor with the Y.E.S. Mentor Group, Brenda is committed to helping youth strengthen their confidence, character, decision-making skills, and sense of responsibility. She strives to create a supportive environment where young people feel comfortable expressing themselves, asking questions, learning from their experiences, and setting meaningful goals for their futures.
Brenda's commitment to mentorship reflects the mission of A Gentle Touch Works, Inc. (AGTW) and its dedication to empowering the next generation. Through encouragement, consistency, and positive example, she hopes to help young people understand that their circumstances do not determine their future and that they have the ability to make choices that lead to positive and productive lives.
For Brenda, serving as a mentor is an opportunity to give back, share life experiences, and help prepare the next generation to become confident, responsible, and compassionate leaders. Her willingness to invest her time and talents demonstrates her belief that when caring adults intentionally pour into young people, they can help strengthen families and transform communities.
Niakesha Douglas
Para-Professional - Braillist
Meet Our Mentor: Niakesha Douglas
Niakesha Douglas was blessed to grow up in a loving, close-knit family under the guidance of parents who served as teachers, mentors, and sources of wisdom. One lesson that has remained especially meaningful throughout her life is, “Never act your shoe size.” This lesson taught her never to allow circumstances, age, position, or challenges to limit the size of her vision, faith, or purpose.
A proud graduate of Daingerfield High School, Niakesha earned a bachelor’s degree in Sociology with a minor in Interdisciplinary Studies from Texas A&M University-Commerce, followed by a master’s degree in Healthcare Administration from Ashford University.
Niakesha dedicated 13 years to working in a hospital setting and an additional three years in a skilled nursing facility, where she served as an Assistant Administrator and Human Resources Coordinator. Her professional journey reflects her passion for serving others and making a meaningful difference in the lives of those around her.
Beyond her professional accomplishments, Niakesha considers her greatest blessings to be the relationships and roles God has entrusted to her. She proudly embraces being a mother, grandmother, aunt, sister, friend, and ministry leader. Most importantly, she is a woman of faith who is committed to loving and serving God.
After being diagnosed with Stage 3 HER2-positive breast cancer, Niakesha faced one of the greatest challenges of her life with faith, strength, and perseverance. Today, she proudly stands as a breast cancer survivor and advocate and is the Founder of Zadie’s Girls Breast Cancer Awareness, where she uses her journey to encourage, support, and bring hope to others affected by breast cancer.
Niakesha’s story is one of faith, resilience, service, and purpose, demonstrating that life’s challenges do not have to limit one’s ability to make a meaningful impact.
Meet Our Mentors - (cont.)
Their dedication and commitment to Y.E.S. can be seen in their willingness to show up, participate, volunteer, provide guidance, share their experiences, assist with activities, support special events, and invest personally in the growth of our students. They give their time because they understand that building meaningful relationships with young people requires patience, consistency, trust, and genuine care.
Most importantly, our mentors help our students recognize the possibilities within themselves. They encourage them to stay focused on their education, make responsible choices, develop confidence, strengthen their character, explore career opportunities, become leaders, and set goals for their futures. Whether offering words of encouragement, helping solve a problem, celebrating a milestone, or simply reminding a student that someone believes in them, our mentors provide a dependable circle of support.
Katrina Higgins
Meet Our Mentor: Katrina Higgins
Katrina Higgins is a dedicated educator with a heart for children, families, and her community. She currently serves as an educator with Hughes Springs ISD, where she has worked for the past four years. Prior to joining the district, Katrina devoted nearly 23 years to Community Services of Northeast Texas Head Start, serving children and families from diverse backgrounds throughout the surrounding communities.
Katrina has always enjoyed working with children of all ages and taking the time to discover their interests, personalities, strengths, and unique qualities. She understands that some young people may not always feel comfortable communicating openly with family members, school personnel, or other adults. Katrina strives to be a trusted and supportive presence—someone who listens, encourages, and helps young people feel seen, heard, and valued.
Her passion for mentoring comes from a desire to help youth recognize their potential and develop the confidence they need to succeed. She believes that young people benefit greatly from having caring adults who are willing to invest time in them, provide guidance, and create safe spaces for honest communication.
As a mentor with the Y.E.S. (Youth Empowerment Solutions) Mentor Group, Katrina is committed to helping young people grow, strengthen their self-esteem, build positive character, and develop the skills necessary to become confident, responsible, and productive members of their communities.
Katrina brings decades of experience working with children and families to Y.E.S., along with compassion, patience, and a genuine desire to make a positive difference in the lives of the youth we serve.
Sharon Hurndon
Meet Our Mentor: Sharon Hurndon
Sharon Hurndon comes from a small town where she learned that even the smallest communities can be filled with big possibilities. From an early age, she was taught the importance of responsibility and understanding that life is not simply about oneself. She believes everyone has a responsibility to consider how their choices and actions affect their families, communities, and future generations.
As Sharon has grown older and experienced the loss of loved ones, she has become increasingly mindful of how precious life is and often reflects on one important question: How will I be remembered? At her 21-year-old nephew’s funeral, she heard a message about the dash—the small line between the date a person is born and the date they leave this earth. That message had a lasting impact on her because the dash represents how a person chooses to live, serve, love, and make a difference during their lifetime.
This perspective is part of what draws Sharon to Y.E.S. and its belief in possibility:
Yes, we can do it!
Yes, we want to do this!
Yes, all things are possible!
As a mentor with the Y.E.S. Mentor Group, Sharon sees mentorship as a two-way journey. While she hopes to encourage and guide young people, she also recognizes that they can teach and inspire her as she continues discovering and fulfilling her own purpose. Her desire is to help young people become confident in who they are, recognize their potential, and make choices that allow them to be proud of how they fill their own dash.
Sharon strongly believes that community involvement is a responsibility that should be taken seriously. She views young people as gateways to a better future and believes they should be exposed to the many areas that help communities thrive, including health, education, financial literacy and banking, housing, environmental responsibility, employment, and civic involvement.
She is especially passionate about helping youth develop practical life skills. Sharon believes young people should learn more than how to live in a house and fill it with beautiful things—they should understand how that house is built, how to maintain it, and how they might one day build and own one themselves. She wants youth to be prepared to create, lead, work, manage, invest, serve, and contribute meaningfully to their communities.
For Sharon, mentorship is about more than helping a young person navigate today. It is about preparing them for tomorrow. By helping young people recognize their possibilities, understand their responsibilities to others, and live with purpose, Sharon is also intentionally filling her own dash with service, meaning, and impact.
Erma Jones
Retired
Meet Our Mentor: Erma Jones
Erma Jones is a proud 1977 graduate of Daingerfield High School whose life reflects a longstanding commitment to children, families, and community service. After 26 years of dedicated service, Erma retired from Community Services of Northeast Texas (CSNT) Head Start in Pittsburg, Texas, where she served as Nutrition Services Lead. Throughout her career, she played an important role in supporting the health and well-being of countless children by helping ensure they received nutritious meals and quality care during their early years of development.
Erma’s passion for serving others continues through her involvement with A Gentle Touch Works, Inc. (AGTW). She currently serves as Treasurer of the AGTW Board of Directors and as a mentor with the Y.E.S. Mentor Group. In these roles, she contributes her experience, compassion, and commitment to helping young people grow, develop confidence, and recognize their potential.
As a devoted mother and grandmother, Erma understands the importance of providing young people with positive guidance, encouragement, and consistent support. Her genuine love for children and her servant’s heart have remained at the center of both her professional career and community involvement.
Through mentorship and service, Erma continues to invest in the next generation while inspiring others through her dedication to strengthening families and uplifting her community.
Shenard Jones
Licensed Vocational Nurse
Meet Our Mentor: Alprentice “Shenard” Jones
Alprentice “Shenard” Jones brings a genuine heart for service, a lifelong love for young people, and a deep commitment to caring for others to his role as a mentor. His passion for youth began early in life and has continued to grow through his experiences as a father, coach, healthcare professional, and pastor.
Since 2008, Shenard has dedicated his time to coaching Little League football. Through coaching, he has had the privilege of watching young people grow not only as athletes, but also as individuals learning discipline, teamwork, responsibility, perseverance, and confidence. His connection to the young people he serves has always extended far beyond the football field. In 2016, that commitment took on an even deeper meaning when he legally adopted one of the young people he had coached, making him family through and through.
As a father of five children, ages 16, 10, 9, 7, and 6, Shenard understands firsthand that every child is unique. He recognizes that each young person needs their own balance of love, patience, encouragement, accountability, and guidance to thrive. This understanding shapes the way he approaches mentorship and allows him to meet young people where they are while encouraging them to recognize and reach their full potential.
Shenard is also a proud graduate of the 2018 Kilgore College Nursing Program and has served as a Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) ever since. His compassion is not limited to children; he has a generous heart for people of all ages. Throughout his nursing career, he has served in various healthcare settings, including youth facilities such as the Nelson Center in Denton, Texas, where he worked with young people in a structured care environment, helping support their health, safety, daily needs, and overall well-being. He has also worked in various nursing facilities, where he discovered another passion—caring for the elderly. Whether serving youth or senior adults, Shenard genuinely enjoys caring for people and treating them with compassion, dignity, patience, and respect.
In addition to his work in healthcare and with youth, Shenard is the proud Pastor of New Birth Baptist Church in Lone Star, Texas. He labors faithfully and tirelessly in the Word of God, preparing and delivering soul-stirring messages each Sunday while providing spiritual leadership, encouragement, and support to those he serves.
Shenard believes every young person deserves someone in their corner who sees their potential, believes in their future, and is willing to help guide them along the way. His experiences as a father, coach, nurse, pastor, and community servant have equipped him with a unique ability to connect with people from many walks of life. As a Y.E.S. mentor, he is committed to using those experiences to encourage, guide, support, and inspire young people as they grow into confident, responsible, and purpose-driven adults.
Meet Our Mentors - (cont.)
At Y.E.S., mentorship is not simply something we do—it is an investment in the next generation. We are incredibly grateful for mentors who are willing to work, willing to serve, and willing to stand beside our young people as they grow.
Shiandra Kemp (Elementary Teacher)
Meet Our Mentor: Shiandra Kemp
Shiandra Kemp is a dedicated educator, mentor, and servant leader with a heart for helping children and young people learn, grow, and recognize their potential. She earned her Bachelor of General Studies from Texas A&M University–Texarkana and brings more than a decade of experience in education. She currently serves with Longview ISD, where she teaches prekindergarten and kindergarten students.
Shiandra’s passion for youth extends well beyond the classroom. For five years, she served as the Daingerfield Junior High Cheer Sponsor, an experience that allowed her to encourage students in confidence, teamwork, discipline, and leadership and remains one of the most rewarding parts of her journey.
Her commitment to service is also reflected in her involvement with Mt. Moriah Baptist Church, where she serves through the Impact Community Ministry, and with A Gentle Touch Works, Inc., where she supports outreach efforts and gives her time as a mentor to youth who can benefit from additional guidance, encouragement, and positive support.
As a Y.E.S. Mentor, Shiandra brings patience, compassion, consistency, and a genuine ability to connect with young people. She understands that mentorship is about more than giving advice—it is about building relationships, being present, listening, encouraging growth, and helping young people see possibilities for their future.
Shiandra credits much of her success to the unwavering love and encouragement of her family, whose support continues to inspire her to grow as an educator, leader, mentor, and individual.
Y.E.S. is proud to have Shiandra Kemp serving as a mentor and helping us empower youth today as they prepare to transform communities tomorrow.
Ineka Mason
(Head Start Teacher)
Meet Our Mentor: Ineka Mason
Ineka Mason is a dedicated mentor with a genuine passion for encouraging, supporting, and empowering young people as they grow, develop confidence, and discover their purpose. Through her experience working with Pre-K Head Start and the ACE After-School Program, she has developed a strong connection to children and youth and an understanding of the importance of positive guidance during their formative years.
As a mentor, Ineka strives to be a positive role model, compassionate listener, and consistent source of encouragement. She believes that building meaningful relationships with young people begins with listening, showing up, and helping them recognize the strengths and possibilities within themselves.
Ineka chose to become a mentor because she believes every young person deserves someone who believes in them, guides them, encourages them, and reminds them of their potential. Through her service as a mentor, she hopes to help youth build confidence, make positive choices, pursue their goals, and understand that their lives have purpose and promise.
Triston Mason
Project Manager
Meet Our Mentor: Triston Mason
Triston Mason is an accomplished professional, lifelong learner, and dedicated leader whose journey has been shaped by faith, perseverance, education, and a genuine desire to help others succeed. He brings a wealth of knowledge, leadership experience, and real-world perspective to his role as a mentor with the Y.E.S. Mentor Group.
Triston has built an impressive educational foundation, earning a Bachelor of Science in Human Resource Development with a minor in Business Administration, a Graduate Certificate in Organizational Development and Leadership, a Master of Science in Human Resource Development, and a Master of Business Administration (MBA). He has also earned the Project Management Professional (PMP) and Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) professional certifications.
Throughout his career, Triston has gained valuable experience in education, network operations, project management, entrepreneurship, and leadership. His commitment to serving others extends beyond his professional career, as he has also held leadership roles within his church and community.
Triston believes that mentorship can play a powerful role in shaping a young person's future. He understands the importance of having someone who will listen, provide encouragement and guidance, offer accountability, and remain consistent throughout the journey. Drawing from both his accomplishments and the lessons he has learned through life's challenges, he hopes to help young people recognize their potential and understand that their current circumstances do not have to define their future.
As a Y.E.S. Mentor, Triston is committed to helping youth build confidence, develop leadership skills, set meaningful goals, and prepare for successful futures. For him, mentorship begins with trust and consistency—and grows into an opportunity to help young people discover possibilities within themselves that they may not yet be able to see.
Triston's combination of faith, education, professional experience, leadership, and commitment to service makes him a valuable addition to the Y.E.S. Mentor Group and another positive voice helping our youth believe in who they are and who they can become.
Gregory Reed
Salesman
Meet Our Mentor: Gregory Reed
Gregory Reed is a compassionate and relatable mentor who is passionate about helping young people recognize their potential, overcome challenges, and make positive choices for their future. His connection with youth is strengthened by his own life experiences, allowing him to understand many of the pressures and challenges young people may face.
Gregory brings several years of experience working with children and youth. He volunteered with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Denton County for four years after having been a member himself during his adolescence. He also spent two years working with at-risk youth in foster care through Lutheran Social Services. These experiences have strengthened his ability to connect with young people from diverse backgrounds with understanding, patience, and authenticity.
Having faced challenges as an at-risk teenager himself, Gregory understands the importance of having positive adults who are willing to listen, encourage, and provide guidance. He strives to be a mentor youth can relate to—someone who understands their language and experiences while helping them see beyond their current circumstances and recognize what is possible for their lives.
Gregory is motivated by growth, positivity, and the opportunity to see young people become stronger and more confident in themselves. He became a mentor because he wants to leave a positive and lasting impression on the lives of youth—one they can carry with them throughout adulthood and, ultimately, pass along to others.
As a God-fearing man, Gregory strongly believes that it takes a village to raise a child and that every young person deserves someone in their corner. Through his service as a Y.E.S. Mentor, he is committed to being part of that village and helping ensure that no young person is overlooked or left behind.
Meet Our Mentors. (cont.)
Their compassion builds trust. Their dedication creates opportunity. Their commitment inspires growth. And their presence reminds every Y.E.S. student: You are seen. You are supported. You matter. And your future is worth investing in.
Jessica Boyd
Job Title
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