The Founder / Executive Director

    Mrs. Addison is the proud wife of Mr. Eric Addison. They have three children; Tyesha, Demazada and Nassia.  Mrs. Addison was born in Jersey City, New Jersey. She was raised in the tiny town of Clinton, South Carolina, where she attended grade school and graduated from Clinton High School.  Mrs. Addison is a veteran with her last rank being a Lieutenant for the United States Army Reserve.  Mrs. Addison’s higher education includes a Bachelors Degree in Criminal Justice from Benedict College, a Masters Degree in Education from Columbia College, and a Masters Degree in Professional Counseling from South University.  She received a commission into the United States Army as an Officer from the University of South Carolina after two years of study in Army Leadership.

   Mrs. Addison became passionate about her pursuit of justice for adolescences and service to her community after her niece and nephews were murdered by their father in November of 1996.  She believed the only way to deal and cope with her hurt was to find an outlet.  At the time of the incident, Mrs. Addison was an officer in the United States Army Reserves.  She resigned her commission and began working in the Eau Claire community assisting families through a volunteer position with Save Our Kids and became a volunteer for the Richland One School District. 

   Mrs. Addison has worked for the State of South Carolina for approximately 16 years, for employers such as The Department of Juvenile Justice, Youth Challenge Academy, Wil Lou Gray Opportunity School, and The South Carolina Department of Corrections, where she worked in the Youthful Offender Division. She also continued to work and volunteer in her community during that time for the following entities: Richland County CASA as a Guardian Ad-litem for 5 years, Save Our Kids, LLC- as the Summer Programs Director for 12 years, Richland One School District- where she held several positions, including an SIC membership and more than 10 years as a volunteer. 

   Today, Mrs. Addison works at the Dorn Veteran Medical Center, operates a Non-Profit Organization (Believe N me2), in which she named and founded.  She is a Board Member for several community service entities: The Columbia Fatherhood Engagement Initiative, Blythewood High School JROTC Booster Club, Blythewood Girls Basketball Booster Club, National Blacks in Criminal Justice Association, and Matron for Ladies of Inspiration #1094, Ruth Grand Chapter #079 in which she is actively involved in the community.

By her genuine and unwavering interactions with youths, parents, and persistent community involvement, without a doubt, Mrs. Addison is fully committed to building a brighter tomorrow, no matter how dim the circumstances.