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ALL SMILES: Monique McKen (centre) at the CRIB seminar with Alex Reid and Cherone Lawrence (right)

WHAT MAKES someone swap a thriving legal career to help the community where she grew up?

The answer is Monique McKen, a mother who feels so strongly about helping young people to discover, develop and deliver their purpose in life that she has launched CRIB: Christianity Reaching Inner-city Birmingham.

During an inspirational seminar at CRIB’s base in the middle of a small park in Winson Green, McKen told her story of how she started life as a rebellious teenager, who ended up homeless.

Her life was on a downward spiral until she met up with a woman from a housing association who told her: “I am going to help you.”

Those words of encouragement put McKen on the right track, which at the age of 29 saw her studying for a law degree where she gained an excellent grade.

“My journey should not have been so turbulent, but it was just that one woman who spent time with me to help me that spurred me on,” explained McKen, who has three children.

“I want to help the young people who are now growing up in the community I grew up in and need that kind of guidance.”

CRIB is an independent, not-for-profit organisation aimed at helping 16-25-year-olds and offers them a base where they can socialise, receive training, get advice and help.

McKen said: “We want to be the catalyst for positive change in the community, while removing the confusion some of our young people experience attempting to access service provision.

“We believe we have a huge social responsibility to help each young person discover their potential. We don’t believe this is the exclusive job of family or local authority, but the community at large.”

Two young people – Alex Reid and Cherone Lawrence told the seminar how CRIB had helped them by giving them the right advice and guidance, including help with a CV.

Jamaica’s Honorary Consul for Jamaica Wade Lyn, CBE, owner of patty manufacturer Cleone Foods, and former Aston Villa player Melissa Mills both gave inspiring accounts of their own journeys to success.

During workshops everyone agreed that young people at school were not offered essential life skills in areas such as opening a bank account or getting a mortgage.

“We want to empower emerging generations to live with purpose,” said McKen. “Making a difference to the lives of our youth and young adults is our primary goal.”

For more information on CRIB email info@crib316.co.uk or contact 0121 523 9577