Doing Good Report: Youth Strategies Helps Area Students
By: Matt Turner
Updated: April 10, 2012
Mowing, landscaping, gardening and working at the Community Bike Shop.
Those are just some of the jobs at-risk teenagers are doing to make money and learn life lessons thanks to a Springdale-based non-profit group called Youth Strategies.
"Youth Strategies provides strategies, resources, opportunities and environments for young people and organizations working with young people to help them reach their potential," said Youth Strategies' President, Mike Fohner.
Teenagers like Antonio Martinez and Jonathan Reyes benefit from the program by earning money, learning new skills, improving their chances of graduating and finding a job along with staying out of trouble.
"This actually changed my life to tell you the truth," Reyes said. "I was kind of a bad boy and then I came here and now I'm a good guy!"
Martinez says working with Youth Strategies also makes him feel better because it allows him to avoid bad influences while meeting new people.
"It always feels good to know you're making a difference," said Fohner. "I think sometimes the road is longer for some kids than it is for others. I get the privilege of knowing what battles these kids have fought and where they've been and where they are now."
Fohner went on to say, "You know, I have kids of my own that have great accomplishments but I look at these folks and think, man they've been on the road a long time and they've paid their dues. So it's a pleasure working with them."
Fohner says the group is always looking for volunteers and donations. To learn more about the organization and ways you can help, just visit: http://www.youthstrategies.org/
Those are just some of the jobs at-risk teenagers are doing to make money and learn life lessons thanks to a Springdale-based non-profit group called Youth Strategies.
"Youth Strategies provides strategies, resources, opportunities and environments for young people and organizations working with young people to help them reach their potential," said Youth Strategies' President, Mike Fohner.
Teenagers like Antonio Martinez and Jonathan Reyes benefit from the program by earning money, learning new skills, improving their chances of graduating and finding a job along with staying out of trouble.
"This actually changed my life to tell you the truth," Reyes said. "I was kind of a bad boy and then I came here and now I'm a good guy!"
Martinez says working with Youth Strategies also makes him feel better because it allows him to avoid bad influences while meeting new people.
"It always feels good to know you're making a difference," said Fohner. "I think sometimes the road is longer for some kids than it is for others. I get the privilege of knowing what battles these kids have fought and where they've been and where they are now."
Fohner went on to say, "You know, I have kids of my own that have great accomplishments but I look at these folks and think, man they've been on the road a long time and they've paid their dues. So it's a pleasure working with them."
Fohner says the group is always looking for volunteers and donations. To learn more about the organization and ways you can help, just visit: http://www.youthstrategies.org/
