Teen overcame challenges to help others

PRICHARD, Ala. (WALA) - High praise from the Volunteers of America Southeast for a 14-year-old girl. The student overcame her own challenges to excel at helping others. She is the first recipient of a new award, the "Youth Enrichment Services" award.

Light of the Village Christian Academy students greeted members of the Volunteers of America Southeast, who've come to visit their school. Its a school that sits in the heart of one of the toughest neighborhoods, Alabama Village. Yet out of this, comes triumph over tragedy.

Victoria Davis is a shining example. Davis was awarded the first ever Youth Enrichment Services Award.

The Youth Enrichment Services, or YES initiative, is a partnership between the VOA and Light of the Village. It's designed to help at risk youth. John Eads, co-founder of Light of the Village, will serve as director of YES for the Volunteers of America.

When it came time for Eads to announce the recipient of the YES award, all of the students chanted Victoria Davis' name.

"She helps with the after-school lunch food program and helped with our summer program," said Eads.

Davis said she was excited to be recognized.

"At first I wasn't expecting it, but I know what I did, and it was true," Davis said.

Davis is one of eight children. She has six younger brothers whom she helped raise, along with a baby sister. Dolores Eads teaches at the school and said there is no one who is more deserving than Victoria.

"She's had so many challenges and brothers to take care of. She's had to grow up quicker and she has a lot of love in her heart," said Dolores.

Victoria's Dad can't think of anyone more deserving for the award.

"If you work like she did you can accomplish anything, put Christ in your life, treat people with love and kindness, and you can overcome anything," said Victor Davis.

While Victoria's life hasn't exactly been a walk in the park, she has used all of her experiences to help others. She hopes to one day become a pediatric nurse.