"I have been so humbled by this process. I never expected the children of the community to welcome this time of program with open arms, especially as they got older. What keeps me motivated everyday is that I have teenage boys and girls coming to spend time with us out of their own free will. No one is making them. These children are my children and watching them grow is what keeps me excited every morning to continue this journey. "

In 2004 Shanta Stubb's father moved their church to a new area of town. He believed the Lord was calling him to a place where the community needed him more. Shanta was skeptical of the move at first, since the community was polar opposite to the one she'd come to known. During the first few days in their new church, Shanta described her demeanor as "culture shocked" as she explored the impoverished neighborhood and noticed the high number of children running the streets. One group of kids caught her attention as they were recklessly dodging cars in the street. She invited them into the church where they played board games. The children kept coming back, and they were bringing friends with them. That first summer eight children became regulars at the church for safe, educational summer activities.

Shanta loved working with her first group of kids that summer. When school resumed the children continued to come by the church and she realized her mission had begun. She used her own savings and rented the space next door to the church and began developing an after school and summer school curriculum. She networked in the community and involved her entire family. Shanta used her every earned penny while going to college and to build the New Image Youth Center. The center works with more than 150 local children a year through positive learning experiences, character education and fun. Seven years have passed since that first summer and while Shanta has no children biologically, she is a "mother" to many in her community. She serves as a role model to the children and teaches them how to sacrifice whole heartedly for another. That's why Shanta is a 2011 Woman of Worth!