Tangela Reid always knew Mission Society cared about her. Recruited for the Club Real Deal adolescent pregnancy prevention program several years ago as a young high school student, she has relied on the organization’s guidance and support ever since.

Club Real Deal has been one of Mission Society’s programs since 1997. Based on a highly effective national model developed by Dr. Michael Carrera of the Children’s Aid Society, the program is designed to prevent unintended and early pregnancy through academic motivation and assistance; family, life and sexuality education classes; job training and employment opportunities; sports; creative self-expression; and access to medical, dental and mental health services.

But, as Tangela will tell you, the program does so much more. It gave her a safe place to go every day after school and on weekends. It helped her to develop friendships with other young people who were serious about doing well in school and had dreams of a successful future. She gained the confidence needed to speak her mind about issues of importance to her, sustained by the open and friendly atmosphere that Mission Society staff created. And when she was preparing for college, Mission Society helped her with her applications.

With the support of a Mission Society scholarship, Tangela attended and recently graduated from Utica College with a degree in Business Management. She believes that the kindness and professionalism with which she was treated by Mission Society staff informs her own work with young people. She now teaches computers to elementary school students. She has also spent the past four summers working as a counselor in Mission Society’s summer day camp at the Minisink Townhouse. And, when the organization asks her to volunteer for community events, she gladly lends a helping hand.

Mission Society has been a parallel family to Tangela. She, in turn, has been a special gift to young people in the community, serving them with the same care and skill that she has always been treated by Mission Society.