JoJo Butler

I am fundraising for YR day this year for the opportunity for YR to continue the growth it has seen in the last year. Every year YR becomes a place of community, comfort, and commitment for our students (your kids, friends of you kids, your neighbors), but I think this year especially YR became a place of celebration. The pandemic was hard on everyone, but especially students who through their high school experience learn about themselves, their community, and the world around them. It was so rewarding to see our student make those connections again. To feel the excitement of a fully attended TEENPOWER camp, to see the energy in everyone at 5:55a.m. on TAC Fridays, to see a full jury at Teencourt hearings. It was really special to see that even though we couldn't be with each other as much, we couldn't do all of our traditions, and we couldn't connect in the same ways throughout the pandemic, that the YR community never lost its excitement and passion for our mission. I hope that YR gives those students who missed out on so many opportunities because of COVID the chance to find their place. Your support is a large piece of that. Please consider donating to help us celebrate (and continue doing) the amazing work that our students have done this year.