SAVING OUR YOUTH VIRGINIA

Saving Our Youth was founded in 2009 on the joy of watching our youth succeed and understanding that everyone faces different challenges that can often stop them from achieving their goals. We serves students in the 23222 Richmond VA area. In zip code 23222 nearly one out of every two youth (45%) is living below Richmond’s poverty threshold, according to the American Community Survey (2016) while just 5 miles away in zip code 23226 fewer than 9 of every 100 youth live in impoverished households. A child raised in 23222 is more likely to be raised in poverty, to live in a household where one or more adults is unemployed, and to attend a school where indicators show many students are lagging behind on literacy, attendance, and graduation.

Although we are a small 501(c)(3) organization, we are also a part of a collective model at Six Points Innovation Center, a non-profit collaborative for teenagers which fills a gap in after school programming for teens. It’s a constructive multi-generational learning approach that aims to implement a restorative program, where teenagers and adults work to address the inequities for the youth and families in the Highland Park area. We address ways that trauma manifests in the community. Programs are implemented through multi-disciplinary programs provided through leadership from our 23222 community leaders and supported by 6PIC program partners.