Shelia M. Hayes is the Executive Director of Educational Services for Tendaji Community Development Corporation. She attended the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville where she earned her Bachelors in Vocational Education with emphasis in Human Resource Development and her Masters in Adult Education. Mrs. Hayes has several certifications, including: Certified Trainer in Alternative to Suspension, Second Step Facilitator Training, Trainer and External Assessor for the State of Arkansas, and a Trainer of Trainers for Certified Life Skills Curriculum and Second Step Violence Prevention. In addition to her education and extensive training, she has over — years of experience working with youth in the community. She is the founder of three very successful after-school youth programs: SUCCEED at Henderson Middle School, SUCCEED at Lawson Elementary School, and Program IMPACT at Tendaji CDC Youth Center. All of these programs center around providing youth with an opportunity to gain insight into the arts and aid in their education.

Her passion surrounding restorative justice prompted her to build a team to begin the Reclaiming Scholars Program. This program offers the opportunity for students that have been suspended to learn behavior modification skills through one-to-one counseling, and receive academic assistance for the duration of their suspension. Wrap around services also provide parents or guardians with a parent workshop equipping them to better support their students’ academic success.

Once students complete the program they have the opportunity to have their suspension removed from their record. This unique partnership with schools and parents provides the student with a new beginning toward a brighter future. Mrs. Hayes believes that these types of programs are vital to our communities as they provide the youth and adults with new opportunities to become better citizens.

Shelia Hayes is a native of Arkansas. Her upbringing, love, and pride for her state has transformed her into an advocate for at-risk youth. She strongly believes that her “passion lies in serving the community and addressing the needs of our youth.”