Rosa Parks, a Civil Rights leader, used her bus ride to change the lives of millions. Now, 50 years later, Biola alumna Tanya Walters is doing the same—changing the lives of underprivileged teens on her bus rides.
With her yearning for children and travel in mind, Walters, 38, established Godparents Youth Organization (GYO). This non-profit specializes in a niche outreach: Travel mentoring. The Los Angeles-based program is for high school students residing in lower income areas with 2.0 grade point averages and under. With the help of Walters and some of her co-workers, high school students are exposed to life outside of their communities at historical and educational locations such as Washington D.C., New Orleans, and Montgomery, Ala.
“We’re anything [the teens] need us to be,” said Walters. “Where the parents or teachers drop the ball we pick up the slack.”
The success of GYO has flourished but Walters admits it was her faith and Biola that prepared her during the course of crafting GYO.
Walters heard about Biola over the radio. Attracted to the BOLD program, she completed an application—although she was reluctant.
“I carried the application a year before I applied,” she said. “I didn’t want to deal with the rejection.”
Facing her fear, Walters applied, was accepted, and enrolled in BOLD at Inglewood, Calif. There, she managed to earn exceptional grades (she graduated Alpha Sigma Lambda) while juggling her day job, marriage and parenthood. All this she said prepared her for the future.
While in school Walters took “her kids” on small road trips, but never thought anything would come out of it until someone suggested she form her passion into a business.
Uncertain that this business could exist, Walters researched. She discovered the only travel options for students were study abroad programs requiring high G.P.A.’s and loads of money—criteria her kids didn’t fit.
“A lot of our kids within the community are C’s and D’s students,” she said. “They live on Compton and Imperial and haven’t even been to Crenshaw and Imperial.”
Keeping that in mind, Walters brainstormed. In 2005 she came up with the name Godparents Youth Organization, as she was known as the “Godmother of the community.” With just a name, she successfully formed trips through word of mouth and small fundraisers.
It was the year 2006 that Walters admits was a faith walk.
Because she had no knowledge about how to apply for grants, Walters used her money to supply the trips—but all that would change.
A reporter from The Los Angeles Times followed Walters behind the wheel for a three month assignment. During that time, Walters had a vision.
“God told me we’re going to New Orleans…” she said. “We don’t have any money but I said that’s not the answer—we’re going to New Orleans.”
Walters began planning for the trip. Impressed, the LA Times reporter fought for the article to be front page news and won.
Three days prior to leaving for New Orleans, Walters was the least bit ready for such a trip. With her phone cut off and little money, she read Psalms 143 and prayed. She then negotiated with her cell phone company and was able to get her phone back on. That day, New Orleans called and gave the proclamation for GYO to visit, but Walters was still broke—until she received another phone call.
“A lady was on the phone crying, and said ‘I am reading your article, where can I send you some money’ and by 9 p.m. that night we had had $40, 000 [in donations],” Walters said.
With the help of donors, GYO was able to travel to New Orleans serving victims of Hurricane Katrina.
Today, Walters has witnessed the impact GYO has had on the lives of her students. Currently, nine students of GYO have been accepted into colleges. In the midst of great achievements, Walter credits her faith.
“All of this was built first from God giving me a vision, but I had to step out on faith; I put my credit cards out on the line and I’ve come close to bankruptcy.”
Her personal life has also been pushed aside. Last April, while on a trip with students, Walters received a call —her husband had collapsed of a heart attack and died.
The 25 students were sure that meant heading back to LA but Walters said otherwise.
“After praying, I said we’re not leaving,” Walters explained. “Why would I rush back to put myself in an environment where everyone is grieving and crying when I have an opportunity to put life back into 25 kids?”
And so the trip continued.
“That was such an impact to the kids and parents,” Walters said. “In that, they saw love; here’s this stranger and she’s not giving up on us.”
Her sister (a would-be graduate of Biola) also passed away in November. Now, Walters helps care for her two nieces in addition to her 14-year-old son. With more on her plate to manage, Walters and her organization are still going strong.
The next anticipated trip for GYO is South Africa. Despite doubters, Walters remains confident.
“You will always have people out there telling you what your vision is—but when your relationship with God is tight, you know what he will give you.”
Walters is now looking for mentors and is excited for GYO’s first international trip. On March 5th Walters will be honored at the Ruby Slippers Luncheon, a reflection on women in Biola’s history.
For more information: Godparentsclub.org
