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Winner of the Avon Hello Tomorrow Fund - December 25, 2007
Theresa Sheets Honored with $5,000 Avon Hello Tomorrow Fund Award
December 25, 2007

McDonough, Georgia Resident Wins Cash Award To Fund Need-Based Scholarships To Young Womens' Leadership Program


(New York, NY, December 25, 2007) McDonough, Georgia resident Theresa Sheets, 39, has a special reason to celebrate the holidays this year: she is one step closer to fulfilling her dream of creating a better tomorrow for her community as this week’s winner of the Avon Hello Tomorrow Fund, a weekly $5,000 cash award program from Avon Products, Inc. to support individuals in their work to empower women. Theresa will apply her award towards creating need-based scholarships for Chosen Heirs Leadership Academy, a program designed to motivate girls to aspire higher by building their self-confidence through meaningful mentor relationships.

Theresa’s community of Henry County, Georgia, part of the Atlanta metropolitan region, is one of the top five fastest growing counties in the United States, and such rapid population growth demands supportive programs and activities for youth. Many families face increasing challenges in raising their children, and have less time to spend together, leaving many children lacking positive real-life role models. As a result, many parents need support in vital areas to help their children grow into responsible, capable adults. The developmental pre-adolescence period is often a particularly vulnerable time for young women, as many behaviors – including those most harmful, such as substance abuse, at-risk sexual behavior, depression, and eating disorders – are believed to develop between the ages of 13 and 15, increasing the need for effective prevention.

A lack of positive role models and mentors for young women increases the need for leadership education. Girls need teachers who can provide them with the skills and tools necessary to succeed. Even more important is the need to help realize and release the untapped potential of the young women, ultimately leading to a positive ripple effect on society as a whole. As the Executive Director of Chosen Heirs, Theresa Sheets knows firsthand that as girls build confidence and a sense of purpose they’re motivated to aspire higher. “I've spent the last 16 years mentoring, so I know the best way to empower women is to empower young women,” explains Theresa.

The Chosen Heirs program helps build self-confidence, leadership capabilities, public speaking skills, creativity, constructive criticism, and on-the-spot thinking abilities. Through its mentoring and teachings, the program instills in participants a stronger sense of self-worth and a desire for excellence, which ultimately helps advance their effective participation in their communities. As each year Chosen Heirs proudly helps usher another group of future leaders into college and successful futures, the commitment remains to reach new girls from every spectrum of the community and make the opportunity available to them as well.

This is where Theresa Sheet’s Avon Hello Tomorrow Fund award enters. The funds will allow her to create need-based scholarships, enabling the next generation of future leaders to participate in Chosen Heirs Leadership Academy and realize their potential despite current financial need. The $150 tuition, which is nominal for some but unreachable for others, will be underwritten for up to 25 girls who would otherwise not be able to attend. The award will cover curriculum fees, supplies, uniforms, field trips, and other program costs. With the help of the Avon Hello Tomorrow Fund and Chosen Heirs, Theresa’s leadership will positively impact society by empowering young women in her community, including those in need.

Theresa’s winning application to the Avon Hello Tomorrow Fund fell under the category of “Community Service,” one of three areas the Fund supports. Her proposal met the criteria to clearly present unique and achievable objectives to empower women or girls and ultimately improve society. It was selected from a pool of strong contenders by an expert panel of judges, including Suze Orman, America’s most recognized expert on personal finance. A “great idea!” noted Fund judge Cynthia Rowley of Theresa’s program.

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