Empowering Youth to Rise, Heal and Thrive
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.
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.
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.
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 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)
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
Yandy Smith
Co-Founder/President
Precious Avorkliyah-Evans, LCSW
Co-Founder/ Executive Director
Latoya Bond
Associate Co-Founder/ Associate Director
Dr. Jamila T. Davis
Program Director
Cheylin Parker
Co-Chair
Ayanna Stephens
Co-Chair
Rhonda Brown Moore
Treasure
Cymil Hamilton
Program Coordinator
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.
