YOUTH presents awards at luncheon

YOUTH founder and director Sylvia Bolling

ALDINE– Supporters and friends of YOUTH met last Wednesday, for a luncheon and awards ceremony to mark the 17th anniversary of the founding of this unique private social service organization.
Founded in 1990 by Sylvia Bolling, Executive Director, her vision and goal was a group to empower positive change in the lives of youth and their families.
Bolling has seen this vision succeed through her hard work and partnerships with community members. The luncheon was to thank these supporters, and honor those in the community that have helped. Participating in the ceremonies was emcee Jerome Gray of KPRC television, and Bolling’s daughters Shawna and Kenyetta.
Awards were given as follows: Christian Community, to Jen Van Kirk of Young Life; Community Education, to Margarita Byrum, AISD area superintendent; Service, to Juanita Honeycutt, YOUTH board member and volunteer; and Business to Gilbert Hoffman, Northeast News Publisher.

In addition, informal recognition was given to Paul McDonald for his Christian Ministry, and Steve Mead, AISD school board member, Optimist club president, and community activist, Shirley Reed, Grandparents raising Grandkids, Viola Garcia, AISD school board member and original GED teacher at North Harris College, and Martha Fowler, volunteer and early staff member. Pastor Jerry Martin received his Light of Hope Award.
In his remarks, emcee Jerome Gray recounted being raised in a poor section of Philadelphia, and the importance of a community center, Heritage House, to his life. There he learned the lesson to “Never Give Up-Always Give Back,” a message similar to Bolling’s at YOUTH.
Bolling told the history of the Youth Organization United To Help (Y.O.U.T.H.), and its start from her car and no facilities in 1990, to the acquisition of a building in 1995, and the current facility which has over 20 programs for youth and serves hundreds of children and their families. She closed by performing a song in sign language, Never Give Up, Keep the Dream Alive by Yolanda Adams.