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Jennifer Crowder has worked with children for over 30 years in every imaginable capacity.

Now, the Hogansville native has started a program to help the area’s youth gain some necessary life skills.

“Ultimately, it’s my hope and prayer to serve as many youth that I can,” Crowder said.

“Working with these kids [is] heaven on earth. It is so special to me. I live and breathe children, and [my family] was the same way, so I guess it’s just in us.”

Crowder’s program, Life Tips 4 Teens, is meant to assist teens with gaining life skills, social skills, financial responsibility and goal setting skills through monthly workshops. The program also delves into the areas of self-esteem building, proper hygiene, table etiquette, appropriate dating and social media safety, Crowder said.

“There’s just been a shift somewhere along the line with things going on in the world and it’s influencers,” Crowder said. “I want to bring back the concept of the village … If I see your child and I correct them, it’s not a confrontation, I’m just concerned. With so many things going on with the kids, it still takes a village … and this is just my part to add to it.”

Crowder launched her program in May and has held it in various locations in and outside of Troup County, including churches, recreation centers and in outdoor areas.

“I started with the idea of having one workshop on [July 31],” Crowder said. “After I made the post [about the program], people started inboxing and calling me. My cousin said ‘Jennifer, this is so needed, you’re going to be doing this more than once.’ It was all in God’s plan.”

Recently, she rented space in Hogansville to have a more local spot to host her workshops.

“I’m very mobile,” Crowder said.

“It just depends where I am and how big the groups are and what we’re talking about and what the workshop entails.”

Crowder will be hosting a launch event for the program on Saturday at Beautiful Beginnings at 1605 Vernon Road from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

For more information on the program and to sign up for a workshop, call Crowder at (706) 616-5888.