A.K.I.M.A.L.Y.A.H.Always Knowing Important Men And Ladies You Are Here

About The Author Mrs. Barbara Stevens [formerly Judkins]

45 years old – Married to Edward Wade Stevens, III - mother of three beautiful daughters 26, 24 and 21 years old – grandmother of 2 grandsons 9 years old and 4 years old. Born and raised in Albany, NY.  Graduate of Albany High School in 1982 – and – Mildred Elley College January 2007 with an Associates Degree for Advanced Paralegal; Took training with the Albany Crime Victims late winter of 2005 for Domestic Violence and Crime Victims Advocate.

 

Singing Ministry

Been ministering through song and outreach since 1993.  Sung with various choirs such as Capital District Youth Mass Choir under the direction of Mr. and Mrs. Tony and Minister Rhonda  Ferguson; where we have opened shows for Hezekiah Walker, live video shoots in Halifax, VA single ‘Caught UP’ was out and sold out and completed a CD Project; The Prodigal Son at the Proctor’s Theatre we sang in that play; Anointed Voices of Praise (WE started that group in order to accommodate the 7:30 a.m. Services to make it more of a pure Praise Worship Services instead of a Traditional regular service) at the Union Missionary Baptist Church, Salvation Army New Hope Choir (Recovery Church for those that are on drugs – mission was to go find out more information on the drug problem – never had the problem herself – wanted to find a way to help); Inter-dominational Martin Luther Choir where we sang back up for Dottie People’s, Shawn Pace, Bobby Jones, Kirby Brown among other famous gospel stars under the direction of Minister and Minister of Music Elgin Taylor; Mt. Pleasant Missionary Baptist Church Senior Choir under the direction of Minister of Music Dennis Lee Edney where we ministered to allot of people through out the State of New York and have traveled out of the state several times to minister to people of the same faith.  Ministering to people through the Ministry of Song has been an beautiful experience since I have started singing with the Capital District Youth Mass Choir when Minister Rhonda Ferguson taught us that singing was just for a showmanship it was to minister to ourselves first in choir rehearsals’ but that it was to be a true witness in the name of Jesus.

 

Internships:

Interned at the Law Project at the Unity House for Domestic Violence Victims with an Domestic Violence Attorney as an Advocate in the courts and Paralegal in the office.  Also, interned at the Albany County District Attorney’s Office  & Albany Police Court for six months as a Paralegal. During my internship there at the Albany County District Attorney’s Office saw they were trying to start a Basketball Program and it didn’t pan out the way they wanted and I sat down with the DA and told him that for over 10 years I have been assisting with basketball program every year and that I know the people that will be able to assist you and bring this into full swing.  They asked me to bring the people together  and then they had me start this program called “Bring It To The Courts Basketball Program.”  The goal was to allow the children to see a different way of life.  The Basketball Program was to attract the children to the program because all children like to play ball; but during the time with the program they were to gain education in other program grams and through workshops they were given some tips on life outside of the normal life they were living.  The DA would tell them that they would rather see them on the basketball courts in stead of in his courts.  I had to leave the Program and the DA’s Office due to medical reasons and then became a victim of a crime again through someone else.  Which lead me to not having the ability to work in the office again due to conflict of interest it was a great experience just the same.

 

Outreach Ministry: (Founded)

Started a prison ministry called “Life Begins With God Prison Ministry” where we ministered through   

 

                       A.        Bible Ministry

                       B.        Transportation

                       C.        Letter Writing (Personal)

                       D.        Newsletter

                       E.         Family Ministry

 

 

Wake Up! It’s All About You Foundation

Currently under the Foundation gives Domestic Violence Workshops to enlighten people about the agencies that are there for their benefit and to explain the full dynamics on the issue.

 

 

FACT:  Women and children are not the only ones going through these types of abuse men are also going through the same thing.

 

 

Future Goals is to build a Safe House that will accommodate people who need to actually leave the situations and feel comfortable moving on without all the red tape and boundaries that are keeping people from getting help.

 

 

Outreach Ministry at the Union Missionary Baptist Church under the pastorship of Rev. Dr. Ronald W. Steward, where we would go to knock on doors and have ministry right there in the park.  Go to Nursing Homes to sing to the sick and the shut in.

 

 

Written for the purpose of showing victims of violence the art of mental self defense.

 

 

When I realized that I was a victim of domestic violence I acted as fast as I could to remove myself from the situation.  I, now want others to know that you don’t have to be a victim.