Todays Youth Matter

This past year has been one of profound transformation for the children and families we serve, and for the growing team of mentors and volunteers who walk beside them. At Summer Camp, 120 children - 67 Boys and 53 girls, many carrying the quiet weight of trauma, poverty, or adult responsibilities, were given the rare gift of simply being kids. For one sacred week, they laughed freely, explored boldly, and rediscovered joy through swimming, ziplining, and evenings spent sharing personal stories during cabin time. These moments were more than fun; they were healing. They reminded each child that they are seen, they are heard, they are safe, and they belong.

Our THRIVE!-4-Kids mentoring program continued to nurture that same healing throughout the school year, serving 97 kids ages 7-15 during the Spring and Fall seasons. This programming was expanded to accommodate the desire and need for our youth 13 and up to maintain participation with TYM through our Emerging Leaders Academy, curated specifically for our age-upper, in grades 7th-8th. In weekly small-group pods, children formed deep bonds with trusted adult mentors as they explored real-life topics like resilience, character, leadership, and faith. In neighborhoods where consistent support is scarce, THRIVE! offers strength, safety, and belonging. We watch kids begin to believe in their own worth, dream a little bigger, and face challenges with growing confidence. This year, we expanded THRIVE! to two low income apartment complexes, Monterey Pines and Cypress Pines, bringing mentorship directly to where families live. Alongside this in-person growth, our original online site, launched in 2021, continues to thrive via Zoom, ensuring children beyond Richmond also have a consistent, meaningful place to belong.