Six Albany students chosen for state Youth Empowerment Series program

ALBANY — Georgia Department of Human Services Commissioner Robyn A. Crittenden announced recently the selection of 111 Georgia high school students to serve on the agency’s Youth Empowerment Series for the 2017-18 school year.

In the group are 15 students from south Georgia, including six from the Albany area. This group of 15 includes:

— Travious Acree, Omega

— Haley Alexander, Tifton

— Savannah Anderson, Albany

— Tomyia Blackshear, Tifton

— Brandon Booker, Valdosta

— Shelise Byrd, Albany

— Zykia Ewings, Albany

— Felicity Graham, Tifton

— Roderick Paige, Albany

— Drew Parker, Valdosta

— Sydney Pridgon, Tifton

— Andrea Sigler, Cairo

— Atlantis Taylor, Albany

— Marissa Tiamfook, Tifton

— Trynity Tucker, Albany

The 111 students chosen represent communities from all four corners of the state and a variety of socioeconomic backgrounds. They also include 26 from middle Georgia, 27 from metro Atlanta, 23 from north Georgia and 20 from coastal Georgia.

The Youth Empowerment Series, or YES, exposes high school students to issues affecting vulnerable populations in a manner meant to empower their communities and empowers them to become involved in developing solutions.

Officials with DHS said YES launched last year with 51 students who participated in six meet-ups across the state. The series included roundtable discussions on topics such as public policy, social services careers, senior hunger and child welfare. Students also engaged in community service, workshops on higher education and team-building activities.

Fifteen participants from the inaugural group have since returned as YES Alumni Board members, who serve as guest speakers and volunteers for upcoming meet-ups.

The yearlong program is meant to encourage participants to commit to the DHS’s vision of stronger families in the state, while also helping the agency garner input from young people on policies affecting vulnerable youths in the state.

Through career panels, networking and participation, students in the program gain unique exposure to careers, jobs and involvement opportunities within human services.

“DHS YES provides a unique opportunity for Georgia’s youth to be active participants in helping strengthen the children and families of our state,” Crittenden said in a statement. “Building stronger families for a stronger Georgia is something that everyone can be a part of, no matter their age.”

For more information on DHS YES, or for a full list of participants, visit dhs.georgia.gov/youth-empowerment-series-yes.

Jennifer Parks