OUR WORK:
IOY works with parents, schools, community leaders, businesses, and faith-based organizations to educate and empower our community for future success. Our direct service activities include mentoring and social empowerment for youth, community engagement, collaborative health initiatives, juvenile diversion programs, and improving family outcomes through education, financial literacy, and homelessness prevention.
We also collaborate with community agencies to provide events on topics such as health and well-being and social empowerment. We promote career readiness as well as linkage to employment and community resources. We support youth and family advocacy and work to ensure our community provides opportunities for participants to develop healthy relationships with forward-thinking individuals.
HISTORY OF IOY:
In 1997, IOY’s founder Ms. Alma Venisee, began meeting with young girls in her community twice a week. The girls named their group “Girls With Power”. They went to the movies and out to eat to celebrate their achievements. The girls’ parents were pleased with the changes they saw in their daughters. As a result of the “Girls With Power” success growth and personal development, Alma was determined to help all youth overcome the societal ills and shortfalls rural youth encounter.
INVESTING IN OUR YOUTH was incorporated to serve both girls and boys and a second center was opened in Atlanta, Georgia in 2012. There are many barriers which tend to hinder youth to achieve success. Despite this, many of our participants have graduated school, veered away from the juvenile justice system, become amazing and in-tuned parents, and moved into successful careers.
OUR LEADERSHIP:
We have a dynamic Board of Directors and Leadership team to lead our community efforts. IOY maintains committed staff and volunteers for each initiative. Our leadership team includes (listed alphabetically):
Alma Venisee, Founder and Director
Jasmine Ward, Board Treasurer
Lazania Robinson, Member and Volunteer
Myeisha Ash, Board Secretary
Tamara Williams, Board Chair
Yasmin Burns, Member and Volunteer
Investing In Our Youth 