Historical Profile of TEARS, Inc.

Teens Empowerment Awareness with ResolutionS (TEARS), Inc. began as a brainchild of

one concerned citizen with an insurmountable dedication and commitment to her
community: Mrs. Angelia C. Walton (then Miles). Angelia was determined to put an end
to the lack of education on AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome), and HIV
(Human Immunodeficiency Virus) in her own community. Therefore, in 1996, she started
presenting classes to local church groups on AIDS and HIV education; thus, the birth of
TEARS.
In 1997, the organization became incorporated, and in September of that same year, it
was awarded non-profit status. Ms. Angelias persistence and dedication inspired her
brother, Mr. Darius Miles, to join the crusade. Mr. Darius presence brought a renewed
respect among the young men TEARS serviced, and with his help, the organization was
able to provide a greater light to the community. Ms. Angelias walk with God, along with
Mr. Darius brought a new focus to TEARS. This new direction was to discover why kids
were leaving the sandbox to engage in sexual activity and risky behaviors at such an
early age.
TEARS received its first grant in 1998, a venture Grant; and the focus of TEARS
broadened to include child abuse. This, in turn, extended their educational program to
cover teen violence and dating violence. During this expansion, it was discovered that
many teenagers accepted dating violence as normal and had a limited understanding
of healthy dating relationships.
Ms. Angelia and Mr. Darius were operating out of the back of her car with very limited
resources, and an annual budget of less than $30,000. However, that did NOT stop them!
They had an undying faith in God, and a firm commitment to what they were doing for
the youth in their communities.
TEARS advanced its operations to the Phenix City/Russell County Boys and Girls Club of
America in 1999. In 2001, TEARS was moved to an office on Ingersoll Drive, in Phenix
City, Alabama where they had 6-9 part-time employees at any given time. TEARS
remained there for 3 years, and then settled at its present location of 1011 South
Railroad Street, Phenix City, Alabama. In the past, TEARS has employed between 2 and
20 staff members. It now employs 7 full-time salaried employees!
TEARS provides wraparound services, educational monitoring and life skills training,
individual and group counseling, tutorials, computer labs, after-school programs, youth
mentoring and martial arts, and dance therapy for anger management, along with a
shelter for homeless girls and runaways. It also provides two on staff licensed
counselors, and serves as a counseling intern site for both Auburn and Troy Universities.
Furthermore, TEARS is also an Alabama Certified Substance Abuse Prevention site in
Russell County, Alabama.
Currently, TEARS proudly serves 6 counties in Alabama: Birmingham, Lee, Macon,
Montgomery, Roanoke, and Russell. In 2007, it opened another office at 1170 Brown

Avenue, Suite A, Columbus, Georgia. This expansion has allowed TEARS to serve both
Muscogee and Chattahoochee Counties in Georgia, along with some military families.
TEARS is kindly funded by both federal and private grants, and donations from
foundations and individuals just like you. Its WONDERFUL; TEARS has grown from one
person teaching AIDS awareness from the back of her car to a multi-service teen center
with a freestanding gymnasium, and a shelter for homeless and runaway girls.