“At first, it was challenging—especially since my mom worked at the Club. I felt like I always had to do more. But over time, this place became like home. The staff saw something in me and helped me become the person I am today.”

— Christian, Junior at PHHS and Boys & Girls Club Youth of the Year

Christian’s story is powerful—but it’s not unique. He started attending the Boys & Girls Club when he was just 5 years old. Over the past 12 years, he’s grown into a confident student, a thoughtful mentor, and a recognized youth leader. His growth didn’t happen in isolation. It happened because of consistent access to caring adults, academic support, and opportunities to lead.

And the Boys & Girls Club is just one of five community partners that make up the Strengthening Youth Opportunities for Success (SYOS) collaborative.

Through this United Way-supported network—including the Boys & Girls Club, West End Center, Community Youth Program, Cultural Arts for Excellence, and the Presbyterian Community Center—387 young people like Christian received daily enrichment, mentorship, and mental health support this year.

At SYOS sites, kids find more than a safe place to go after school. They find a system of care—coordinated across agencies—that helps them succeed in school, feel seen, and imagine a future filled with possibility.

So when you hear Christian’s story, know that he’s just one of hundreds.

Your support keeps that system strong. And right now, every dollar you give is matched—doubling the number of kids we can reach, and futures we can help shape.

Your Gift. Their Future. Doubled.

Christian’s success isn’t just a feel-good story—it’s a real-life example of how coordinated, community-based support can change the trajectory of a young person’s life. And he’s not alone.

SYOS is just one of collaborative efforts powered by United Way to surround families on their journey to self-sufficiency.  From investing in children’s healthy development and school readiness, to helping adults pursue education, job training, and better employment—these initiatives work in tandem to move families from crisis to stability, and eventually, to independence.

And they’re all part of something bigger:
🔶 Helping 10,000 families in our region achieve self-sufficiency by 2030.

That vision depends on stable systems—programs that stay open, staff that stay in place, and services families can count on, even in times of uncertainty.

🧡 Your gift helps make that possible.
Inspired by Christian’s story, a group of dedicated supporters made a one-time donation of $115,000, and issued a challenge to all United Way supporters: come together to match their gift before June 30. Thousands of kids like Christian count on us each year. Your support now helps us complete this donor challenge and shows the region that United is the Way to respond to the challenges facing our community.

Be the reason someone can count on help when it matters most.