Empowered Youth Programs

Dr. Deryl F. Bailey
Founder of Empowered Youth Programs is an associate professor in the Department of Counseling and Human Development Services at the University of Georgia. Dr. Bailey spent 10 years as a high school counselor and is in his 15th year as a university professor. He was the 2011-2012 president of the Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (ACES). which is the largest division within the American Counseling Association (ACA). Dr. Bailey has received numerous awards for his work in the counseling profession and for his work with Empowered Youth Programs (EYP). On March 25th, 2011 he received notification that he had been selected as the recipient of the 2011 Professional Advancement Award from the Association for Specialists in Group Work (ASGW). This award recognizes the outstanding activities of an individual who has helped advance the field of group work through research, development of new techniques or theories, public relations, legislative activities, or group work practice. In 2012 Dr. Bailey was selected as the William Allan Boeing Endowed Chair and Distinguished Professor of Education at Seattle University in Seattle, Washington. As the Endowed Chair Dr. Bailey spent the Fall semester as a consultant for the Seattle Youth Initiative, visiting schools, guest lecturing in classes at Seattle University meeting with superintendents and other school administrators. In addition to these activities Dr. Bailey delivered three presentations to the Seattle community regarding his work with Empowered Youth Programs.

Dr. Mary E. Bradbury-Bailey
Co-founder of Empowered Youth Programs. Dr. Bradbury-Bailey has been a science educator for 35 years in NC, VA, and GA, and won either school or district wide Teacher of the Year in every state that she has taught. in 2004, Dr. Bradbury-Bailey was one of 12 semi-finalists for the Teacher of the Year honor for the state of Georgia. Currently, she serves as the Science Educator at Cedar Shoals High School. On December 14, 2012 Dr. Bradbury-Bailey graduated from Piedmont College with her doctorate degree in Teaching and Learning. She is now lovingly known as “Ms. Dr. Bailey.”

Monica Allen
I am a first year master’s student at UGA in the Professional School Counseling Program and this is my first year working with EYP. I have enjoyed getting to know the students and watching them grow both socially and academically!

 

 

 

Robin Butler
I am a second year Master’s student in the School Counseling Program at UGA and I am the secondary coordinator for Empowered Youth Programs. Prior to coming to UGA, I worked as an HR Specialist for Clarke County School District. I enjoy serving my community and EYP as an extension of that service.

 

 

Nur Cayirdag
I am a PhD candidate in the Counseling Psychology program. I have been living in Athens, GA and working with the Empowered Youth Programs as a researcher for 3 years. My favorite part of EYP is analyzing students’ data and seeing how the program contributes to their academic, social, and emotional development from year to year.

 

 

Bantu Gross
I am a doctoral student in the RLST program at UGA. Before I returned back to school, I served as a child and adolescent counselor at a juvenile justice facility in Louisiana and as a substance abuse counselor for adolescents in Athens, GA. I decided to volunteer with EYP because I enjoy working with young people and have a desire to help them grow into successful adults.

 

Erin Davis
My name is Erin Davis and I am the Elementary Coordinator for EYP as well as a first year Masters student at UGA’s Professional School Counseling Program. As soon as I heard about the program, before I even began at UGA, I knew I wanted to be a part of it. Saturday Academy is the highlight of my week, I absolutely love working with the elementary school students! Their excitement and enthusiasm fuel my passion for the field. It has truly been a blessing to get to know these children and teach them while watching them grow, develop, learn, and succeed!

Bernardo Hopkins
Besides Drs. Bailey and Bailey, Bernardo is one of the oldest veterans of EYP. He holds EYP deep in his heart and is devoted to the program. After graduating, Bernardo came back to work with the program as the people here welcomed him back with open arms.

 

 

Erick Hopkins
My name is Erick Hopkins and I am a math teacher at Cedar Shoals High School and have been volunteering with EYP my entire teaching career. Personally, I’ve found my tenure with the program can’t be defined, only experienced and enjoyed.

 

 

 

Mary Hopkins
My name is Mary Hopkins and I am the mother of three boys, two of which went through the program. I have been volunteering as part of the program for years, even after they graduated. I am also a permanent substitute teacher at Hilsman Middle School.

 

 

Crystal Jordan
Hi! I’m Crystal and I’m a first-year school counseling graduate student at UGA. This is my first year working with the students of EYP and I couldn’t be more excited about the opportunity. I look forward to working with the middle and high school students and helping them develop both inside and outside the classroom into successful young adults.

 

 

Jessica Kruse
I am a graduate of the School Counseling program at UGA and this is my third year working with EYP. Every week I am amazed by how much our students grow and learn in this program and I am blessed to grow and learn with them as well.

 

 

Seung-Yun Lee
I am from South Korea with a B.A. & M.A. from Seoul National University and a fromer high school teacher (Social Studies, in Anyang High School) and former university instructor (in Kyung-In National University of Education). Now, as a doctoral candidate in the program of Social Studies Education at UGA, I have an interest in narrative inquiry, critical race theory, and global citizenship and culturally responsive education in after-school programs. Now I am preparing for my doctoral study exploring African American students’ academic identity formulation in EYP.

Selina Snider
I’m a Master’s student in the School Counseling program and this is my first year with EYP. EYP is such an amazing organization to be part of! I love seeing the excitement the children get when they learn and understand something for the first time. EYP not only helps students with academic work, but actively empowers them to make better choices for themselves, as well as helping them becoms positive peer role models in the community. EYP is a wonderful program for students of ALL ages!

Carolyn Thomas
I enjoy working with the program and I hope that my presence makes a difference. I started out volunteering with the program four years ago after my son was a participant of EYP for 7 years. The Bailey’s helped us out so much, my husband (John) and I just wnated to give back. My favorite part of EYP is interacting with the students on Saturday mornings!

 

John Thomas
My wife and I have volunteered with the program for almost twelve years. Our son was a participant for seven years. After he graduated from high school, we wanted to give back to the program because of how it helped us out! We love working with all of the staff members and the children.

 

 

Erica Waters
I’m a Master’s student in the School Counseling program and this is my second year with EYP. I love EYP because it gives kids the opportunity to be pushed to their full potential while being in an environment that supports and empowers them to do so! EYP is an amazing opportunity for kids!