By By ANDY HAMILTON / Niles Daily Star
NILES - Bridgett Hoover has a goal. The 41-year-old Niles resident wants to send as many young people as possible on the right track.
Hoover said she learned the lesson the hard way and is now ready to speak about her decisions in hopes of influencing others who may be close to following the same path.
To spread the word, Hoover will be reaching out to young women who have made poor choices but are ready to lead a new life.
The project is part of the area Missionary Society, which consists of five area churches: Bethel A.M.E Church in Calvin Center, Conners A.M.E Church in Dowagiac, Franklin A.M.E Church in Niles, Grant Chapel A.M.E Church in Three Rivers and Union Memorial A.M.E Church in Benton Harbor. Each church will also have a representative with a message similar to Hoover's.
Hoover will speak at each of the churches between now and August and also work with the area schools and social services.
Supporting Hoover along the way is Niles resident Georgia Boggs, who has served on the executive board of Missionary Society's fourth district as a membership recruiter for 10 years. The district covers Michigan, Illinois and parts of Canada, Boggs said.
Together, Boggs and Hoover Tuesday night held a press conference at Franklin A.M.E. Church to announce their plans for the next few months.
Boggs said the goal for Missionary Society is to help place young people on a positive path by “bringing their souls to Christ.”
That is where Hoover steps in to help.
A life-long resident of Niles, Hoover graduated from Niles High School in 1983.
Shortly after, she said she was arrested on drug charges and found herself on probation for the first time.
Hoover said she knew she was responsible for the events, but still warns others to be cautious when choosing friends.
It took more than one mistake for her to realize she could be making better decisions, Hoover said. Again in February of 2005, she was arrested for drug possession and is currently more than half way through her probation, Hoover said.
Hoover has since made the decision to turn her life around. She attends substance abuse classes and is on the hunt for a job in the area. Hoover is also taking computer classes twice a week at the Ferry Street Resource Center in Niles.
Finding employment has been the most challenging part of the process, Hoover said.
Her options have been limited by her criminal record as well as the injuries she sustained in a serious car accident seven years ago.
Hoover said the the wreck left her with permanent damage to her vision and hearing.
Boggs said the obstacles facing Hoover are no match for her positive thinking and hard work.