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LAPLACE — When Ashton Cage was 19 years old — only two years out of high school himself — he went to East St. John to share a motivational message with students. Determined to elevate the school system and community, he yearned to speak about character, integrity, purpose and the immense impact God had on transforming his high school years.

One of the students looked at him and said, “Why are you here? Nobody cares. You’re just going to leave us like everybody else.”

Fourteen years have passed since The Movement began, and Cage has never abandoned a student in need. Comprised of a team of dedicated volunteers, The Movement connects students to change communities.

“We focus on educational development, community development and spiritual development, which is personal development,” Cage said. “We want to help students know their purpose.”
This is achieved through a combination of mentorship, tutoring, community service and exposure. The program is completely voluntary and open to students who wish to participate.

It all started in 2006, after Cage shared his frustrations on the state of the local school system with his family. His father, in nice terms, essentially told him, “Son, shut up unless you are going to do something about it. You are only part of the problem unless you are part of the solution.”

From that point, Cage journeyed into every school that would allow him to speak. He met Chrissy Carter Cifuentes at a Fellowship of Christian Athletes meeting at Riverside Academy in 2014, and The Movement soared to new heights.

Cifuentes was a guest speaker for the FCA meeting, and she immediately took note of how Cage interacted with students.

“He was doing cartwheels in the gym and slam dunking on the basketball goals,” Cifuentes said. “He was just so full of energy. I was intrigued. This guy really knew how to connect with young people and bring the word of God in such a good way.”

A new friendship was born, and Cifuentes became vice president/executive director of The Movement. She has connected with young women in the tri-parish area with a “Girls on the Move” division of The Movement.

From prom dress drives to etiquette classes and retreats, the scope of The Movement has grown tremendously. Students have participated in a number of community development projects, including clean sweeps, school beautification, nursing home visits, food drives and Martin Luther King Day parades.

The Movement has also connected students to anti-bullying programs and awareness for serious topics like drug use and sex trafficking. Today, weekly motivational messages center mostly on East St. John, Emily C. Watkins and Riverside Academy, though The Movement reaches out to other schools whenever possible. The group recently helped select the Student of the Year for St. Charles Catholic.

“We’ve spoken to many teenagers, and we’ve had the great privilege to see them go from youth events and FCA meetings to leading their own groups now,” Cifuentes said.

One success story is Jonathan “JB” Stewart, who came in contact with The Movement as a freshman at East St. John. As a sophomore, his life gained new purpose in Christianity. He approached Cage, thanked him for the work he was doing in the schools, and asked how to get involved.

Now 23 years old and an official team member of The Movement, Stewart has a passion for impacting the youth the same way Cage impacted him: through motivation and mentorship.

“It’s worth it,” Stewart said. “Those kids go through hard things.”

Homelessness, STDs, learning difficulties, drug abuse and dysfunctional homes are only a few of the issues Stewart has seen students struggle with. He’s seen the difference a support system can have, and he hopes to get more hands on deck to expand The Movement’s reach in the school system.

Jasmine Beard, another dedicated team member of The Movement, faced an identity crisis in high school. She fell into a dark depression until her life was radically changed at a youth camp. The experience gave her a passion for working with young people who may face the same struggles.

Beard wants to be a shoulder to cry on and a mentor to bring guidance. She speaks to East St. John students during lunch meetings and after school meetings, the latter of which tends be more efficient at meeting students’ individual needs.

“The big things are identity, purpose and character,” Beard said. “You can have all of the talent in the world, but if you don’t have character and integrity, you’re not going to get anywhere in life.”

She also wants teenage girls to see their purpose in life and have an example of what a successful black woman can look like.

“It’s showing them not everybody lives the way people in your neighborhood may live,” she said.

The Movement will soon take East St. John students on a field trip to Whitney Plantation in honor of Black History Month. Another upcoming initiative called “The Forum” will prepare high school students for the real world by exposing them to professionals across an array of careers.

Cage hopes to get involved with more schools on a more consistent basis. The Movement is open to anyone who wants to donate their time, talent or treasure. For more information, please visit www.the-movement.net.