Y Achievers Are Achieving Great Things

Meet and sponsor Y Achievers at lunch

“Your generosity has inspired me to help others and give back to the community. I hope one day I will be able to help students achieve their goals just as you have helped me.”

Kennedi Gilbert, DePauw University Class of 2021
2016 Eli Lilly Scholarship & Book Scholar Award Recipient

Preparing Teens for College and Career

Y Achievers, a national college and career access and readiness program, has been helping teens reach their full potential since 1967. A major thrust of the program is to assist teens in establishing and meeting high academic and career expectations. And yet, the effort goes a step further. It focuses on character development as well, helping teens strengthen positive traits such as respect, responsibility, honesty and caring, as well as self esteem. These values, in turn, can aid them in leading healthy, productive lives.

Let’s take a look at what Y Achievers alumni in Indianapolis have been up to and what they have to say about the program.

DAVID JONES

Book Scholar Award Recipient

A 2016 graduate of Ball State University with a dual Bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Telecommunications, David had a brief stint with The Paper of Montgomery County, before joining the production department of WISH-TV in 2017. He is also currently enrolled in a Master’s program studying Public Relations at Webster University.

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MORGAN WILLIAMS

2017 Jan Clark Scholarship & Book Scholar Award Recipient

“During teen programs we talked about our lives, our dreams, our passions. The importance of education was heavily discussed and we demonstrated how to truly care for others.“

Morgan is a sophomore at Ball State Universitywith a major in Computer Science and minor in African American Studies. She is a member of RedPrint Step Team and the National Society of Collegiate Scholars.

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JULIA SHIRLEY

2018 Daphne M. Williamson & The She Has Everything Scholarship Recipient

“Youth and Government, the Y Achievers Program and the Avondale Meadows YMCA has really made a major impact on me and the community.”

Julia is freshman at the University of Evansville. She serves as a liaison for the Black Student Union as well as the secretary for Women’s Empowerment Club while working at a local elementary school as Read Tutor. She is deciding whether to major in Education or Business Administration.

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A Large, Lasting Impact

“This college readiness program has had a large impact on me and preparation toward college. Y Achievers prepared me for how my social life would be different during college. We did activities where we had to problem solve by communicating without words or writing. Those activities taught our group how to work and communicate with others. It has taught me great deal of skills I should use throughout my life and in college.” – Victoria V

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PREA JACKSON

2017 Y Achiever of the Year Scholarship Recipient

“Being a part of the YMCA is something like no other. I have been able to push past limits, reach goals and step outside of my comfort-zone.”

Prea is a sophomore with junior status at Indiana University-Bloomington. She is involved with EMT Modeling troupe, runs several programs at Stone Belt, a facility for adults with diverse abilities, as well as a basic algebra tutor for VITAL, a program for adults that experience literacy and language barriers. Prea started her own non for profit student organization on campus in 2018 called LevelUpWithPrea dedicated to advocating for health, fitness and wellness through community and service.

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CHARLES HAWTHORNE

2012 Roderick Conwell  Scholarship & Book Scholar Award Recipient

“I am incredibly thankful for all the support the YMCA has provided me over the past years. It is so nice to know that I always have people back home rooting for me to do well and succeed.”

Charles is a 2017 graduate of Purdue University where he majored in biochemistry and worked to provide safer sex materials and diversity education and training to students, staff and faculty. Today he works as capacity building coordinator for the Harm Reduction Training Institute and Outreach Project in partnership with the San Francisco Department of Public Health in Oakland, CA. He does a lot of training and technical assistance for organizations, mostly in SF, that work with people who use drugs. This includes a lot of syringe exchanges, homeless shelters, health care organizations and social service programs.

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ARIYAN HINES

2016 Distinguished Scholar Award & Book Scholar Award Recipient

“I wouldn’t be where i am without the YMCA, truly.”

Ariyan Hines is a junior mass communications major attending LeMoyne-Owen College in Memphis TN. She is a reporter for the school newspaper: The Magician. She is part of the W.E.B. DuBois Honors program, the debate team, campus activities board, NAACP, Pre-Alumni council, President of Powerful Ladies of Color organization, and Vice President of the Alpha Upsilon chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. She is the current Miss UNCF for the 2018-19 school year.

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Tell us more!

Do you have an announcement, update, inspirational story or just a good idea? Let us know! Contact Jamie Rhodman at 317.554.1051. Read about more life-changing programs and purposeful people in the Avondale Meadows YMCA blog and join us for the Y Achievers Sponsorship Luncheon.