Ashanta has been a New York City Mission Society Club Real Deal Replication participant since 1997. She fondly remembers the program for providing tutoring, peer mentoring, scholarships, stipends, love, support and a second home. "The Children's Aid Society has really inspired me to encourage others while trying to maintain a strong GPA."

Ashanta Nakiya Abraham, currently a graduate of Daemen College, shares her feelings and how her involvement in the program has changed her life.

“I have been a New York City Mission Society Club Real Deal Replication Participant since 1997. I have enjoyed myself over the years and received so many different benefits. CAS has encouraged me to give something back to the community, just as they gave to me. As long as I inspire others as I was inspired, the message of love and support will remain. Now that I am in college, I still feel like I can get the support that I need from the Children's Aid Society. I would never have believed that one program could do so much to motivate my fellow program participants and me if I had not experienced it myself. I could never express my deepest thoughts to show the Children's Aid Society how much I really appreciate what everyone has done for me as a team. I receive words of encouragement, care packages and emails with a variety of assistance to get me through college. Every little inspiration or thought counts to remind me of how much I can rely on Children's Aid. If I could start my own Children's Aid Society, I would.”