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 Empowering Youth to Rise, Heal and Thrive

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Smiling Teenage Boy

EDUCATING

Educating youth on methods for venting their emotional pain through healthy
outlets.

POSITIONING

Positioning youth towards positive change to break generational norms and establish healthier ways of coping.

High School Student

MOTIVATING

Motivating youth to establish goals and action plans for achieving those goals.

NUTURING

Nurturing talents and personal growth by inspiring teens to believe in their
abilities.

The Epidemic
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Our Mission

We are committed to equipping youth with the knowledge, skills, and support necessary to overcome emotional hardships, develop resilience, and pursue their dreams. Through mentorship, financial education, entrepreneurship training, and vocational learning, we empower them to create their own pathways to success.

At PUD, we recognize the unique challenges many young people face, especially those growing up in underserved communities. Our programs are designed to address emotional, social, and economic barriers, empowering participants with the tools they need to build meaningful, successful futures. Whether it’s through learning financial literacy, gaining vocational skills, or receiving trauma-informed mentorship, our goal is to ensure every young person unlocks their potential and thrives.
 

Mission Statement

Our Vision

We envision a world where all youth, regardless of their background or circumstances, have access to the resources and guidance they need to build fulfilling lives. Every child deserves the opportunity to rise, heal, and thrive—because they are more than their circumstances.

Our Vision
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Our Values

•    Community: We believe that building strong support networks uplifts both individuals and communities, fostering unity and collective progress.


    •    Empowerment: Our goal is to equip young people with life skills, confidence, and tools to lead, excel, and become the changemakers of tomorrow.


    •    Compassion: We meet every young person where they are, offering mentorship and trauma-informed support with empathy, care, and without judgment.


    •    Resilience: We teach youth the power of persistence and self-belief, ensuring they rise stronger from challenges and setbacks.

100 TEENS

A teen takes their life every 100 minutes

 

(suicide.org)

20%

20% of teens experience depression before they reach adulthood

 

(suicide.org)

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2x

Teen girls experience depression 2x more than male teens.

 

(suicide.org)

98%

of girls feel there is an immense pressure from external sources to look a certain way.


(National Report on Self Esteem)

Meet The Officers

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Yandy Smith

  Co-Founder/President

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Precious Avorkliyah-Evans, LCSW

  Co-Founder/ Executive Director

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Latoya Bond

  Associate Co-Founder/ Associate Director

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Dr. Jamila T. Davis

Program Director

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Cheylin Parker

Co-Chair

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Ayanna Stephens

 

Co-Chair

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Rhonda Brown Moore

  

Treasure

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Cymil Hamilton

Program Coordinator

Meet The Team

Empowerment & Entrepreneurship Workshops

Through the EGL PUDS mentoring workshops, our staff team up with schools, and agencies around the country to conduct youth empowerment and entrepreneurship workshops.

The topics are approached through interactive and creative activities that youth can relate to and have fun with. Our staff provide real examples of successful individuals breaking barriers and working together to achieve success. The panelists provide a sense of belonging, understanding, and support while also teaching a message of strength, power and resiliency. Teens leave the event feeling empowered and capable of reaching their goals.

School Based Programs

EGL PUD Annual “Pay It Forward” Fund Raiser

At Partners Uplifting Our Daughters and Sons (PUD), our school-based programs are designed to provide students with the tools and support they need to thrive both academically and personally. We offer mentorship, life skills development, trauma-informed care, and entrepreneurship training directly within schools, creating safe spaces for students to grow, heal, and unlock their potential. Our goal is to address social-emotional challenges, build confidence, and foster leadership skills, ensuring every student is equipped to overcome obstacles and succeed inside and outside the classroom.

Through personalized mentorship, financial literacy education, vocational training, and community engagement, we empower students to see beyond their circumstances and create meaningful futures. Together, we’re building resilient leaders and changemakers—one school, one student at a time.

The school based program engages a group of youth in a series of classes held weekly over a period of time. Each class is instructed by successful mentors who are leaders in their respective industry. The students learn conflict resolution and communication as well as vocational skills. The youth graduate from the program with the tools necessary to become leaders and change makers.

Programs

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