You know, there are just some celebs that you feel you can relate to; that you know you’d probably like even if they weren’t celebrities. Women who are from “around the way,” and have a certain “realness” to them more believable.  Women who’ve gone through tough times in their lives and are honest about it, which makes them more relatable, more likeable. People like Jada Pinkett Smith (who reps B-more) and Taraji P. Henson (D.C. all day) and of course, Mary J. So I’m always glad when I hear that one of them is giving back, especially when they’re helping girls/young women who are much like they were when they were younger.

This time, it’s Yonkers Homegirl Mary J. Blige, who recently opened the Mary J Blige Center for Women in the same community where she grew up.

Mary J., who has always been everyone’s homegirl- the singer whose struggles in life and pain in love you could relate to- has spoken openly and honestly about growing up in Yonkers and all the drama and hardship she went through-  the drugs, the alcohol, the abuse, the violence, the self-esteem issues, the trust issues, the issues with men issues, the issues with other women issues… But she grew up and she got out. She became a celebrity and sang about her struggles in public. Then she grew up some more and found happiness with herself and in her life. Now, she is going back to her community, where drugs, violence, poverty and unemployment are still very much a part of people’s lives there and is doing her part to ease that road to a better life for other women.

According to The Mary J. Blige and Steve Stoute Foundation for the Advancement of Women Now, Inc. (FFAWN), which partnered with Westchester Jewish Community Services to open the center, it “will focus on helping young, single mothers enhance their parenting skills, obtain education and vocational support, and access individualized programs designed to help these women reach their goals and lead full, happy, productive and healthy lives. The services offered directly at the Center will include educational opportunities, employment preparation and job placement, childcare services and parenting skills training, self-esteem counseling, and assistance for victims of domestic violence and abuse.” And that’s only the beginning. It’s meant to be a one-stop show for women to get all the resources they need to improve their live in one place. Sounds dope right?

Now this is the kind of celeb news you can use!