Founder and Executive
Director Belinda Pittman-McGee’s favorite image is the turtle. She gives a
wooden turtle to each graduate of Nia Imani Family, Inc. The following
description she includes serves as a reminder of their time at Nia Imani Family
and what they will need to continue to build their futures.
Wood: Precious & Strong
Patience: Change takes time; Be not afraid of going slowly, be afraid
only of standing still
The Hard Shell: Reminds us we carry the tools for survival within ourselves.
Also, as the turtle’s house, the shell reminds us that home is where we are
present.
The Turtle's Head: A symbol of wisdom, the head is always raised as the turtle
moves slowly forward.
Soul discovery and life recovery are slow and steady
pursuits. Endurance. One small step at-a-time.
Recovery from homelessness, foster care, and violence, is
full of discovery. It takes courage, positive people, faith, love, purpose, and
a releasing of wounds and the reminder that slow and steady wins the race.
WIsdom of the turtle
