Since 2020, when we launched our first program,
we have served over 350 youth inside and outside of Columbus,
Ohio, serving all of Franklin County. As I say all the time, it's good to hear
about this organization from me, but I want you to hear it firsthand from
some of the youth that have worked with us over the past year, and some that are new. So, please
listen to what they have to say. And remember, we are a family, regardless
if biological or not. Hi, my name is Jaylin Shine. I'm 17 years o
ld
and I attended Walnut Ridge, and go to YouthBuild,
and I stay on the south side. Hi, I'm DJ. I'm 16. I'm from Dayton, Ohio,
and I go to Linden-McKinley. What I like most about this program is how everybody can come together
and be united, how you can have trust with them,
with Urban Legends. I like planning with the youth for, like,
Youth Nights or, like, parent nights. And also leadership,
learning new things every day. I got involved with Remember Us
Urban Legends through a friend, being ne
w What kept me involved was just all the opportunities
I get in the program. It’s honestly a great opportunity for anybody who wants to learn life
skills and be prepared for the future. Going places
I never been—countless places. Being able to host events because,
I mean, I don't know nobody my age that’s out here hosting they own events. And being an ambassador. My first bike ride was probably
one of the best times I ever had. Riding down on the real main streets
with cars, stopping at the red
lights. It made me feel good because I really never had
nobody put me out to something like that. So, just having an opportunity and having you to make me experience
that was just a great feeling. You guys really, like, help a lot and actually stay with us,
like throughout our youth for help. Always connecting us with like good things
that we might need in life. I wasn't really, like, into, like, talking much or being around people much. But now I like communicating
and being involved with peopl
e. I learned that I'm a leader. I learned about how I can take initiative. I don't always have to be told to do
something—I can do it myself. And just being an overall good friend
to my peers. And have good ideas to bring to the team. I do see this program helping youth with growing, definitely helping, like, youth stay out of drama
and, like, city violence. They just keep the youth, like,
being youth. How I would describe
Remember Us Urban Legneds to my friends would be a great way to experienc
e
the real world. A great way to get out,
go places, learn future life skills. So it's definitely a way to get our youth out there
to experience things in this world. Honestly, my dream—I do really want
to take over Remember Us Urban Legends. With the planning committee, me being an ambassador, I feel like
the Geno in my planning committee. I feel like I could be the one out here
that's recruiting kids. I have my own team and we out here
just making the youth better. That's my path,
and that's t
he path I'm trying to go down.
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