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Around 23 boys and girls of LaGrange were crowned kings and queens on Thursday. The LaGrange Housing Authority hosted its third annual Queen in You workshop, and the first King in You workshop. 

“It’s just been a very rich and full program this year,” said Daniela Bailey, the Director of Administration for LHA. 

The program takes kids from ages five to 16 and teaches them life skills. Self-worth is emphasized in the workshop, regularly doing affirmations and esteem-building activities so the children can find the king or queen in themselves. It is open to any kid who is interested. 

“The [students] that were here last year, they literally cried. Because that’s how impactful it is. We want it to be so impactful that it’s a lasting memory,” said Zsa Zsa Heard, CEO of the LHA.

The program is broken up in the summer, with the final half ending this week. The students who had spent hours learning from adults in the community, going to local organizations and engaging with other kids, were treated to a graduation ceremony fit for royalty. The room at the Phoenix Landing Community Building was filled with crowned kids dancing and laughing. 

The King in You workshop for boys and young men is a new initiative. Bailey and Heard said they saw a need for a safe space for boys in the community.

“We’ve always talked about how we can give back and pour into our youth…The kings, one day they’ll be husbands, one day they’ll be fathers. We want to make sure that we pour as much as we can into them,” Heard said. 

The two were worried that boys may not be as willing to participate in the activities. However, both women said the kings were engaged and they all graduated. 

“You’ll find that we’re talking about anger, but it opens up a whole other conversation and to have a platform for them. It’s so important now, because sometimes we just don’t listen. When we create that platform. It allows them to express themselves,” Bailey said.

Heard echoed Bailey saying, “I think boys sometimes don’t get to express themselves, we teach them to be tough; don’t cry; don’t say anything, but they have emotions just like us…So this is the avenue to teach them how to just talk, share and get it out.”

The Queens took a trip to Lafayette Center for Dance for a ballet lesson. Ginger Booton taught both groups an etiquette class complete with a nice meal.  Jerome Cofield, of Empowerment 3D, talked about empowerment and taught the young men how to tie a tie. Looking Good also donated 15 ties to the kings. 

The women emphasize that while the program may be short, they work to make the impact last a lifetime. 

“We’re encouraging them to be strong and healthy, and avoid the bullying and avoid the peer pressure. We want to pour into them now, so that they reach their full potential. This is more than just a four day thing,” Heard said. 

The impact was obvious to those in the room, with the kids dancing to music, some hugging the adults involved in the program. In thank you cards to Bailey, the kids expressed gratitude and a desire to return next year. The cards were finished with scribbled hearts on the sides of the paper. 

The LaGrange Housing Authority is also giving 150 scholarships to children from second to fourth grade for its after school program, which is another way LHA reaches kids outside of the summer.

“They get tutoring, mentoring, help with homework, they get snacks and a meal,” Heard said.

Many of their programs are for all citizens, inside or outside the LHA, like the after school program, transportation services and a leadership academy for those looking to start a career.