Meet My’Kiah Watson of I’m Worth It

Today we’d like to introduce you to My’Kiah Watson.

My’Kiah, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I was born and raised in Los Angeles. I have worked with youth since graduating high school. So my heart for youth has long existed. In 2016, I had the idea to start a program for young girls that educates and empowers them in self-worth, self-respect, self-love, and purity. I was sitting in church one Sunday, and the part of the message that hit me was “to love your neighbor as yourself.” I began to question, how can a person love someone else well, if they don’t even love themselves? What would it look like if girls/women really loved themselves?

Those were the beginning thoughts that led to I’m Worth It. I spoke to some women about my idea and asked if they wanted to join in this “movement.” I was able to gather a good group of women, and we began to brainstorm. Now I had this idea while sitting in church, but at the time I didn’t know if I wanted the program to be faith-based or not. I was working for LAUSD at an elementary school. While talking with my students about their winter breaks, one girl shared an experience where all the adults were drunk. She went into detail and while she may not have understood all that was going on, I could from what she shared. She was only 8-years-old.

Children are exposed to so much, and they observe more than adults might care to admit. For this reason, my program is geared to girls ages 8-13 years old. We hosted one workshop in Leimert Park in February 2016. We had about ten girls participate, and I’d say it went well. We had good feedback. Eager to plan for the next workshop, I was hit with an unpleasant event. My mother was hospitalized due to a combination of illnesses. Although I wanted to pursue the development of this dream of mine, I had to put it on the shelf and be present for my family.

Fast forward a year later, I got hired at Alpine Camp and Conference Center in Blue Jay, California. I found a love for camping ministry. I learned a variety of skills and was challenged daily. I found myself in many situations where I was asked to speak to girls about their worth. Be mindful that no one at this camp was aware of the program that I began. I started out as a Trail Leader for the Spring Outdoor Education program which is science camp for junior high students. I was encouraged to apply for the Female Program Lead position for summer camp, and I did and was hired. I was able to plan the program with a team and help run camp. I was also the Lead of girls housing, where 14 girls lived during Summer. That’s right, 14 young women in one house, two bedrooms and two bathrooms. Imagine that.

For most people, this would seem like a headache, but because I believe that it is possible for girls/women to get along without being jealous, catty and competitive, I was thrilled at this opportunity. I learned a lot and was able to apply some of the values of I’m Worth It during this season. In 2018, I went ahead and asked the Executive Director of the camp if they would include I’m Worth It as a part of their Organization, and after waiting a little while, I was given the yes. Now I’m Worth It is a program powered by Alpine Camp and Conference Center. We host a program that includes games, worship, speakers, Team Building and quality time building relationships.

Over the first two years of developing the program, I realized that as a Christian woman who builds my identity on Jesus Christ, it is very important to me that the program be faith-based. As we are educating girls on their worth, we find value in their worth being rooted in Jesus Christ. So our curriculum and time of worship are based on Jesus. This November we will be hosting our first annual Camping Experience at Alpine. So far, we’ve been partnering with local churches and hosting Gatherings at their church buildings and some at Alpine once a month. Think of it as a pop-up shop. It’s a brief experience of what’s to come at the retreat in November.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It has not been a smooth road. When my mom was hospitalized, I had to stop the program altogether and didn’t know how or when I would start back. Once I’m Worth It was revived and joined to Alpine Camp and Conference Center, the challenge was finding churches to partner with us. The biggest obstacle we’ve had to face is our age range. After having the conversation with the 8-year-old from my previous job, I realized the importance of talking with young girls about reality.

A big part of our curriculum is purity. When most people hear the word purity, they think of virginity. However, purity is so much more than that. So, some people get nervous when they think of an 8-year-old being talked to about purity. We’ve been encouraged to do this program for high school girls instead, and while I think high school girls would benefit, I don’t want to miss the opportunity to share this knowledge with young girls before they get themselves caught up in unhealthy situations.

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about I’m Worth It – what should we know?
I’m Worth It partners with churches to educate and empower young girls on their identity in Jesus Christ. We play games to break the ice and be silly, we sing interactive worship songs, we have speakers with topics on worth, love, respect, and purity and we share meals together.

We are known for our Team Building Initiatives, which give girls opportunities to problem solve with the help of others and put their gifts and talents into practice. I am most proud of our perseverance. Building this program has not been an easy process, but we have not given up because every girl is worth it. Pun intended. I think what sets us apart are the Team Building Initiatives and our demographic.

There are many conferences held for teenage girls and women, but I don’t know many that are for little girls and preteens. Most likely because the conference doesn’t sound so appealing to a young child. However, we are constantly researching ways to make the program as interactive as we can to keep girls’ engaged.

Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
I have absolutely had mentors, role models and cheerleaders to support this vision. My mentor Tegra Little has a ministry called No Longer Bound, which is an abortion and miscarriage recovery program. Seeing her success has given me the inspiration to pursue this vision that is so much a part of my story as a person.

Another mentor of mine, Liana Sims has spoken into my life over the last few years and called out things in me that I would have otherwise not recognized. She has pursued her dreams as well, and it has encouraged me to go after mine.

My friends Jennifer Fernandez and Skyler Labat-Pugh have prayed with me, encouraged me and supported I’m Worth It from the very beginning. In times when I have wanted to give up because it seemed like this wasn’t supposed to happen, they helped me to get back on the road to making it happen.

Estera Hughes and Heather Thomasec are on my team and have been committed to the growth and success of I’m Worth It. They bring things to the team that I don’t have, and I’m incredibly thankful for them. Alpine Camp and Conference Center definitely deserves credit because it has been a great launching pad for the program.

Pricing:

• $139 per person

Contact Info:

• Address: 415 Club House Dr. Blue Jay, Ca 92317
• Website: https://www.alpine-cc.org/worth.html
• Instagram: @imworthitgirls

Image Credit:
Samantha Loughmiller, Alysha Kerr, Estera Hughes

Getting in touch: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.