NATCHEZ — Angela James has made a career out of helping children as a youth advocate, but she doesn’t need to be on the clock to help children.

“She is 24/7 for these children,” said Robert Lewis Magnet School Principal Zandra McDonald.

McDonald said James has been volunteering at RLMS in many different roles, and that she has left a mark on the school.

“Last year when we got ready to move into this building, I made a call to Angela. She showed up with 20 or 25 volunteer,” McDonald said. “Anything that has to do with a child, I know I can call her. She’ll get what we need.”

McDonald said James also has found guest speakers for the school, bought Christmas presents for students and has also been coaching the school’s step team for a few hours every week.

James also recently got in touch with McDonald to try to find families that are in need of uniforms so their children can start school on the right foot, James said.

“If you make an impact in one child’s life, you’ve made a difference,” James said.

James also acts as a surrogate parent for many of the children of her friends and in her neighborhood, McDonald said.

“Everyone that I know of, they believe that they are special to her,” McDonald said. “We have friends who have children. I have seen the pictures on Facebook. They are at her house on the weekend hanging out.”

James also mentors a youth group at Pilgrim Baptist Church, and she recently returned from a youth retreat, which included McDonald’s daughter.

“I told her ‘thank you for being a part of my village,’ because I can see the maturity in my child just for her influence, McDonald said.

“It’s awesome to have someone who can be supportive of children like that, and someone who can make them feel special.”

James said dealing with so many children, both in and outside of her work as Adams County court appointed special advocates director, can be frustrating, but worth the effort.

“I want each individual child to be themselves, but I want them to be the best they can be.” James said. “Any child can strive, do, learn and be what ever they want to be. And if I can help them get there, that’s what I’m going to do.”