The Resource May 2014 Volume 1 Issue 005 | Page 8

continued from page 7 Audrey Beyal, Recreation Coordinator For Tina, Yvonne, and Wilson, they all remember Audrey coming to ODY as an 8th grader. Audrey said after many years playing basketball with the program, she also started working as a summer student. When she graduated high school in 2000, she left to college to pursue her college education, but returned in the summer of 2002 and has been working with ODY. Audrey enjoys watching the youth grow up with the program. She has many titles including coach for a youth basketball team, which she enjoys coaching even during the days she is off from work. It’s clearly evident that commitment to youth is more than talking about support for Audrey. It’s showing she is there in person. Audrey claims that she wished there was more funding so their program can help more kids. Tasha Williams, Prevention Specialist After three years with ODY in 2005 to 2008, Tasha recently returned to ODY as their Prevention Specialist. Her background as a Senior Case Worker has given her many tools to work with the youth. She truly believes our youth are our future. She is adamant about helping the youth and that’s one reason why she returned to ODY. Some activities she administers are Child Explore, recreation and education activities, and inhouse and outreach programs. Tasha claims although ODY’s funding is limited, she takes a lot of pride in helping where they can. For example, the summer youth employment program. Although the program can cur- 8 may Volume 1 Issue 005 rently only help only one high school student and one college student from each chapter, she believes it does make a difference. She is hopeful their program will obtain more funding so they can help more youth in the many different programs they offer. Brandon Lee, Maintenance Worker Brandon admits that he know what it’s like to go through the lows of life from family, social, or/and tragedy. In the year and half since he has been with ODY, he prefers to focus on the positivity of things. He stated that our youth do make mistakes, but he is there to support them to make better choices. He enjoys working with the youth and has realized that he many of the youth look up to him. It was evident that that brought happiness with the big smile he shared. He stressed that community involvement is important and that we all can make a positive difference and bring out the potential in our youth. He also stated that it’s important that we, as a community, look out for each other. Alisha Damon, Recreation Coordinator Alisha joined ODY in January of 2013, but her experience surpasses that short time period. Although ODY introduced her to working primarily with children, she has an extensive resume in fitness and health and working with adults and schools, but not youth on an everyday basis until now. Alisha contributes by assisting with recreation, game activities, team building, growing character, behavior, learning and personality continued on page 9 “a negative mind will never give you a positive life” -unknown