The members of the Council of Parents are trusted community members who have a key and the authority to enter Nyleve’s Haven and check on the health and safety of the daughters in residence there. They have unlimited access to the entire facility and may request any financial records to assure that the public money raised is being spent as has been stated. They are the ones who can assure the public, when and if questioned, that there really is food in the fridge, detergent in the laundry room, daughters living in the building and either participating in healthy, productive activities, planning or running businesses or attending classes at degree conferring schools.
These seven individuals commit to actually walking into Nyleve’s Haven, unannounced, at least once every three months during their term of service. They simply come into the space to assure that Nyleve’s Haven is a safe and healthy place for young women and that community daughters are being treated in a manner that they would not object to their daughter being treated. If they feel at any time daughters are not safe, they will make a swift report to the Board of Servants for immediate action. In the defense of daughters, there is no “going behind my (Yejide’s) back.”
If they don’t feel comfortable speaking to me about their concerns they will go to the Board. They agree to remain involved to assure action is taken to protect daughters. Simply, if they see something that concerns them they WILL say something. The God I serve does EVERYTHING in the light and provides with an open hand. Cults are formed when there are secrets. I plan to allow nothing to go on within The Haven that I don’t want the public to know about. True and healthy empowerment should not be secret. In my world, a healthy home has an open door.
- As I invoke the power of God in my service, there must be an ordained member of the clergy;
- As higher education is one of the tools I use, there must be a College or University President;
- As it is a family, there must be a community mother – legally married;
- As it is a family, there must be a community father – legally married;
- As it is a family, there must be a community daughter, one who has lived in the Haven;
- Because entrepreneurship is one of the tools we use, there must be a community business owner;
- Because we intend to be healthy, there must be a mental health professional.
The Council of Parents helps maintain the integrity and standard of health WITHIN Nyleve’s Haven. I want my daughters to have a foundation based on a healthy relationship with God and that they are offered the best resources available. I want someone to open the cabinets and fridge and make sure that is happening. I want my daughters in an environment where powerful people are found, as the norm. Greatness begets greatness. Walking down a flight of stairs and bumping into a prominent business owner, a well-known community activist, a respected professional or my pastor was the norm of my life while growing up. It had a positive impact on my development. I want the same for my daughters. I grew up seeing a healthy married couple in my kitchen, I want that for my daughters. (NO, I am NOT getting married) Nyleve’s Haven is a community home and I want the community to be physically present making sure that My Daughter’s Foundation is providing the service we say we are. “actually walking into Nyleve’s Haven at least once every three months” looks like:
- stopping by during the workday for a sandwich;
- dropping by as you would your own child’s house, however, that looks for you;
- being present at a regular Haven dinner;
- doing regular business with one of the Haven business entrepreneurs, at the Haven;
- entering as you enter any home you have a key to and are seeking to protect;
- entering and surveying a business as you would as an owner;
- stopping by as you would visit a good friend or beloved family member;
- Using Google Duo to video chat with someone inside the Haven;
- Having an honest conversation with a Haven daughter about her experience in The Haven environment.
The Request: I am asking that you allow me to prepare a meal for you, in the Nyleve’s Haven kitchen, eight times over a two-year period. The term of service begins with a sandwich made to order at the kitchen counter of Nyleve’s Haven.