“Last August, just days before my birthday, my family was preparing for a funeral instead of a celebration.

My uncle had just been killed by gun violence, and the grief that followed was overwhelming. Unfortunately, my story is not unique in Columbus. Police data shows 81 people were homicide victims in the city in 2025. And while that number is the lowest in more than a decade, each one represents a person and a family grieving. This time it was at my doorstep.

I remember feeling stuck, like the future I had been working toward suddenly didn’t matter. College plans, career goals, and every sense of direction were impacted by the weight of this loss. What I’ve come to understand since then is that too many young people carry stories like mine.

Across the country, gun violence has become the leading cause of death for children and teens. Columbus Police report nearly 30 percent of homicide suspects last year were under 21 years old. Young people are both most affected by violence and most at risk of being drawn to it. That’s why they need safe spaces, mentors, and a place to belong.

Thankfully, I found the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Ohio, and that’s when everything changed. In this environment, I was no longer judged for my flaws or the messiness of my life. Instead, I was accepted for who I was, someone who had been through a lot but was still willing to show up and try. The Boys & Girls Club became a second family to me, a place where I could find the encouragement I so desperately needed to keep going.

When young people like me have access to safe spaces, consistent mentorship, and opportunities to grow, they are more likely to succeed in school, less likely to become involved in violence, and more likely to give back to their communities. These programs are not extras; they’re a part of how we build safer cities.

Columbus understands that. The progress we’ve made in reducing gun violence numbers shows what’s possible when we invest in people and don’t just respond.

At the Club, I was pulled out of the dark hole of grief and learned I can speak up. According to the Boys & Girls Clubs of America Youth Right Now survey, 43% of youth say when they have problems with people their age, they seldom talk or never talk things over with them. Learning to manage relationships with my peers and develop leadership skills has shown me that I am capable of more than I ever imagined.

In less than one year, I went from struggling to strong. I’m proud to be here today as Central Ohio’s Youth of the Year recipient. What I learned is that overcoming hardship doesn’t mean erasing the pain; it means going through it and coming out stronger on the other side. I realized the chaos and dysfunction in my life weren’t barriers – they were stepping stones. Each setback became an opportunity to grow. I learned that no matter how hard life gets, it’s never about avoiding challenges; it’s about facing them head-on and using them to become the best version of yourself.

The Boys & Girls Club’s unwavering support made all the difference. They showed me I belonged, and that alone gave me the strength to keep going. That awareness I have now made me even more passionate about pushing our city forward – for other young people like me who still need these chances to overcome.

One year can change everything. I know it’s true. Columbus is safer when we invest in young people like me. I know, because that investment changed my life.”