What is magic in the lives of young people? It is the dream. Fantasy. Possibilities. It can be something quite simple like having a person listen to them. Magic can be making a wound heal. Cat Wilson and Becca Hufford teamed up with a group of interested people to help young people find an ear to listen to them.  Who are Cat and Becca as youth themselves?

Who is Cat?

Cat Wilson

Hi, I’m Cat Wilson. As a young girl, here are some of my favorite memories. I loved making cookies with my mother, sewing, holding plays in the garage of my cousin next door, and planting flowers or vegetables in the family garden.

My dream was in being an artist. The pictures I drew were of life around me, such as our dogs, my family, the statues of Mother Mary in my mother’s strawberry patch.

I also enjoyed Girl Scouts and all the crafts and fun activities of working together and helping people. Most of the neighbors and friends of my parents called me to babysit their children. I found that the kids loved telling me about what happened in their day. I had fresh ears. Where their parents listened to them all day, I was someone new who was there to only listen and tend to their needs when I babysat.

Empathy grew in me as a young girl in elementary school when the “mean” kids made fun of me because of my name or heritage. My grandparents are from Europe, and it was a thing to make fun of people who were from other places. I gained an appreciation to being present to everyone. Underdogs were my specialty.

My life has been about helping people ever since that time where I learned how wonderful it was in being there for others.

Who is Becca?

Becca Hufford

Hi, I’m Becca. Imagination was an important part of my life as a small girl. I remember pretending to be a grown up, and explore living in a world of magic.

I remember walking down the banks of the creek and jumping from island to island, discovering what laid beneath the water. This made me appreciate nature. Another memory is spending vacations with my family in long trips in the car and creating games to keep all of us happy.

I was a really small child, which meant I was always different from others. Learning to live being slightly different was and is a life long journey, starting from when I was in gradeschool throughout my life. Through this experience I remember people who would listen to me and in turn how I listened to others and help them find their place in the world.

Helping others as I grew up became part of my life from tutoring younger children to entertaining elderly. Growing up in a diverse neighborhood as an older youth allowed me to see how different people are, and yet we all go through the same challenges and have the same dreams. Having friends from all walks of life – even those who were shunned by others allowed me to see a wider perspective.

As I got older I enjoyed stretching my personality by becoming involved in theatre, and presenting myself in front of other people, even though it scared the heck out of me. This experience taught me how to be a small everyday hero. I enjoy sharing that heroism with others.

1 + 1 = 2

It all adds up. Cat and Becca are here to enhance the lives of youth through helping others find that magic lives in the souls of heroes.  Kids are heroes on a  journey, as are parents, teachers, and all who care about youth. Join us on the journey.