A life of adversity at a young age has not defined the future for Dallion Dawkins-Kirby. Coming to Bethel at just 12 years old, there were many obstacles the Lord would bring Dallion through. As Dallion formed relationships with house parents, teachers and social workers, he began to learn to trust others and trust in himself.
“I had trouble being around other people,” Dallion said when speaking on his initial months with the ministry. Extracurricular activities with Bethel Christian Academy allowed Dallion the opportunity to open up in a safe space. “The chapels we did and the field trips we went on helped me to interact with people,” he said. “I learned social skills and as I made friends, I learned how to forgive people.” Track was another outlet that Dallion used to not only interact with others but use as a tool for self growth. “It helped me stay consistent and it helped me with teamwork,” Dallion explained. “Coach H was in my top five,” he said when speaking about the ones who impacted him most.
As Dallion began to prepare for graduation, his love for art and drawing helped form direction for the future. “School in general helped me learn discipline. I was in dual enrollment classes which helped me after graduation,” he explained. Dallion graduated from Bethel Christian Academy in May 2023. With guidance from Tracy Snead, principal of BCA, and Danielle Miller, his social worker, Dallion was accepted into the Nossi College of Art and Design in Nashville, TN. Dallion, now 19 years old, is in his sophomore year at the college.
When reflecting on his time at Bethel, Dallion remembers one thing that was impactful in his life. “The family aspect really meant a lot to me. The house parents really helped with the whole experience,” he said. “Bethel really helped me get to the next step and I wouldn’t change the experience that I had.”