Andrea r. chambers – kids 4 a change
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photo by steed media service
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Executive Director, Jean Childs Young Institute for Youth Leadership
As the Jean Childs Young Institute for Youth Leadership celebrates 15
years of empowering the community, executive director Andrea R.
Chambers wants to ensure that the organization continues to focus on
developing leaders. Named in honor of the late wife of former mayor and
Ambassador Andrew Young, the institute was established to foster
partnerships between concerned adults and youth (grades 8-12) in the
Atlanta metropolitan area. Programs are used to empower youth, so they
can take on leadership roles within the community. “Our students have
stated that – especially after the birthday celebration with the Andrew
Young Foundation – the civil rights leaders are dying or getting very
old and there [aren’t any young people] taking on the reigns to take
over a movement,” reveals Chambers. “Our students feel as though they
can address some of the needs that their communities are crying out
for.” While Chambers oversees business development, the students
facilitate their own meetings and develop all of the programs. Topical
issues often include teen pregnancy prevention, HIV/STD awareness and
emotional health. “The position I hold now, I hope that our students
will be able to hold these positions in the near future. We’re
preparing them [to do] the duties I do now,” says Chambers. – jason thompson
