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Executive Director, Jean Childs Young Institute for Youth Leadership

As the Jean Childs Young Institute for Youth Leadership celebrates 15 years of empowering the community, executive director Andrea R. Chambers wants to ensure that the organization continues to focus on developing leaders. Named in honor of the late wife of former mayor and Ambassador Andrew Young, the institute was established to foster partnerships between concerned adults and youth (grades 8-12) in the Atlanta metropolitan area. Programs are used to empower youth, so they can take on leadership roles within the community. "Our students have stated that - especially after the birthday celebration with the Andrew Young Foundation - the civil rights leaders are dying or getting very old and there [aren't any young people] taking on the reigns to take over a movement," reveals Chambers. "Our students feel as though they can address some of the needs that their communities are crying out for." While Chambers oversees business development, the students facilitate their own meetings and develop all of the programs. Topical issues often include teen pregnancy prevention, HIV/STD awareness and emotional health. "The position I hold now, I hope that our students will be able to hold these positions in the near future. We're preparing them [to do] the duties I do now," says Chambers. - jason thompson


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