Another mural has been taking shape on the side of Hertford’s Horace Reid Community Center on North Grubb Street, painted by the young people of Seeds of Success. The organization provides kids ages 9-17 with vision-expanding experiences and activities.
The mural, designed and coached by artist O’Neal Pullie, is one of many activities Seeds of Success organized this year. Earnell Brown, communications and marketing director of Seeds of Success — and former Hertford mayor — said the program hopes to widen the youngsters’ horizons.
“We provide them with educational and cultural experiences,” Brown said. “With the community’s help, we are providing them with additional opportunities. They are being exposed to people like law enforcement, firefighters, finance, the arts, food and nutrition, horticultural experts, and others who can broaden their perspectives.”
Perquimans County Emergency Management personnel visited for one session and worked with the kids, she said.
“They were able to tour the inside of an ambulance — something I’ve never done,” Brown said.
Brown said exposing kids to career possibilities, activities, and ideas they’ve never seen or considered before makes youth — and later young adults — more self-confident and liklier to succeed.
“Being exposed to firefighters or other experts broadens their perspectives,” she said. “The (Hertford) fire department came and opened up the fire hydrants. That provided water play for the kids because we don’t have a pool in Hertford. That‘s a big deal.”
She said those experiences make the kids more confident, self-assured, willing to try new things and accept new challenges.
“A couple of our kids are now participating in the Hertford Dance Academy,” Brown said. “They’re having a recital tonight.”
The students’ grades also seem to have improved.
“They are familiar with other service providers and are open to speaking and communicating with them,” Brown said. “All that is an example of increased self-confidence.”
So far this year, Seeds of Success has held a Safety program with Sheriff Shelby White, a cupcake decorating class, and an ice cream party with volunteers Lisa Felton, Vera Riddick and Mali Cassues. They also had lessons in etiquette at Melton Grove Church and painted a mural at the community center with Pullie’s help.
In June, the children will be treated to an improvisation camp and performance at the Carolina Moon Theater Company. The Mars Creamery and Hertford Fire Department will host an ice cream party and water fun event at the community center in July.
In August, the kids will learn about science in a program sponsored by 4-H and hosted by Tori DeWald. A movie night is planned in August and another in September, featuring the film, “Ghost Busters, Frozen Empire,” on Aug. 3 and “Wakanda Forever” on Sept. 14. The movie screenings will take place in Hertford’s Central Park on Market Street.
Brown said the program only meets twice monthly but would like to do more. It is limited by funds and a need for more volunteers. She said Seeds of Success is a registered nonprofit corporation, so financial contributions are tax deductible.
Many businesses and individuals provide food for lunches and snacks at each meeting. The organization has a Facebook Page detailing its activities and offering the chance for volunteers to register.
Brown said the organization is grateful for local community support. Residents donated 30 all-day “Hertford on Ice” passes to the kids, and both the Perquimans Arts League and the Hertford Rotary Club are sponsoring the Seeds of Success mural.
Seeds of Success meets on the first and third Saturdays of each month from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. New participants ages 5-14 are invited to drop by. Participation is free.
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