“Come Dare To Be Refined”: Refined Diamonds Relaunches Summer Mentoring Program For Southern Maryland

WALDORF, Md. — What began as a dream to empower young women nearly seven years ago is getting a second chance to shine.

After navigating the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and the heartbreaking loss of both of her parents, Southern Maryland resident Candice Hicks is relaunching Refined Diamonds Inc., a nonprofit organization dedicated to mentoring and empowering girls ages 11 to 17.

The nonprofit’s Summer Mentoring Program officially returns this summer, offering a blend of mentorship, leadership development, educational experiences and community service opportunities designed to help young women discover their value and purpose.

A Vision Rekindled

For Hicks, the relaunch is deeply personal.

“We first started in 2019 and had our first summer program that year,” Hicks said in an interview with The BayNet. “Then COVID happened and we had to go virtual. We lost a lot of attendees. After that, my mother passed away in 2021 and my father passed away in 2023. I really had to take time to grieve and get myself together before I could pour into the girls the way I desired to.”

Despite the setbacks, Hicks said the mission never left her heart.

“The passion to restart the program was always there,” she said.

Founded in 2019, Refined Diamonds Inc. was created to provide young women with positive mentorship, encouragement and life skills during some of their most formative years. The organization takes its name from the process of refining a diamond — a symbol Hicks often uses to describe personal growth through adversity.

Building Confidence In A Challenging World

Throughout the summer program, participants will engage in sessions focused on self-esteem, self-love, self-respect, empowerment and leadership.

One of Hicks’ primary goals is helping girls navigate a world increasingly influenced by social media and unrealistic expectations.

“In the age of social media, I want girls to understand that they were beautifully designed and created by God for purpose and on purpose,” Hicks said. “That’s where you really want to get their self-esteem and identity from — not through filters, social media or what society says is beautiful.”

The program is designed to provide a safe environment where girls can build confidence, share experiences and develop healthy relationships with peers and mentors.

Learning Beyond The Classroom

In addition to mentoring sessions, the program will expose participants to a variety of educational and career opportunities.

Girls interested in law and criminal justice will have opportunities to observe court proceedings in Charles and St. Mary’s counties, meet judges and legal professionals, and learn firsthand how the justice system operates.

Hicks is also exploring opportunities to introduce participants to state government through a possible visit to Annapolis, while other planned experiences include tours of St. Mary’s College of Maryland and Historic Sotterley.

“Everybody’s not going to be a social media influencer,” Hicks said. “We still need doctors. We still need lawyers. We still need nurses.”

Community organizations are also expected to provide presentations on substance abuse prevention, mental health awareness, healthy relationships and conflict resolution.

Representatives from the Charles County Health Department, the Center for Family Advocacy and the St. Mary’s County Mediation Center are among those expected to participate.

Giving Back To The Community

Community service will remain a major component of the program.

Participants will collect hygiene products for local families and assist with distribution efforts through the Southern Maryland Food Bank.

The girls will also partner with Habitat for Humanity in Lexington Park, creating handcrafted birdhouses that will be sold through the nonprofit’s retail operations, allowing participants to contribute to the community while developing creativity and teamwork skills.

A Full-Circle Success Story

The relaunch will also showcase the long-term impact of mentorship.

Former participant La’Sea Westbrook, who took part in the program during its early years, is now a teacher and will return as the program’s lead mentor and volunteer coordinator.

For Hicks, Westbrook’s journey demonstrates what can happen when young people are given encouragement, guidance and support.

As registration opens for a new generation of participants, Hicks hopes parents who may be struggling to reach their daughters will find hope in the program’s mission.

“There is still hope for your child, no matter how far you feel she may have gone,” Hicks said. “She can always redeem herself. There are redeeming qualities in all of us.”

Honoring The Woman Behind The Vision

As Refined Diamonds Inc. prepares for its relaunch, the event will also serve as a tribute to one of the people who helped inspire the organization’s mission from the very beginning — Candice Hicks’ mother, Sandra “Sandy” Hicks.

Hicks said her mother was present at the organization’s first launch event in 2019 and remained one of her biggest supporters throughout the journey.

“She was and still is my heartbeat,” Hicks said.

Following Sandy Hicks’ passing in 2021, Candice stepped away from the program to grieve and focus on healing. Though the loss was profound, she said her mother’s encouragement and belief in the organization’s mission continued to motivate her to return.

For Hicks, the relaunch is more than a new beginning. It is an opportunity to continue a mission rooted in faith, resilience and the lasting influence of a mother whose support remains at the heart of the organization.

“Come Dare To Be Refined”

Hicks compares personal growth to the process of creating a diamond.

“Diamonds are made deep under the earth under pressure and time,” Hicks said. “What these girls may be experiencing right now — darkness, depression, pressure, even thoughts of suicide — there is life on the other side of that. They’re going to come out refined like a diamond.”

That belief is at the heart of Refined Diamonds Inc., whose motto is “Refining One Diamond at a Time.” Through mentorship, education, service and faith-based encouragement, the organization seeks to help young women recognize their value and develop the confidence to pursue their goals.

As Hicks prepares to welcome participants back this summer, she hopes parents will consider the program as a source of guidance, support and empowerment for their daughters.

The Refined Diamonds Inc. Summer Mentoring Program relaunch event will be held at 6 p.m. Friday, June 12, at the Hampton Inn, 3750 Crain Highway in Waldorf. The program will run from June 20 through Aug. 8 and is open to girls ages 11 to 17. Registration is free, and organizers welcome community support, volunteers and charitable contributions. All volunteers working directly with participants are required to complete background checks and fingerprinting to help ensure a safe and supportive environment for the girls.

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