Youth Empowerment Workshop Inspires Saginaw Youth to Make Positive Choices
VCD hosted its third workshop in an eight-week series on Tuesday, February 18th, focusing on youth empowerment and making positive choices. The event took place at 1708 Johnson St., Saginaw, from 5 pm to 7 pm, with a strong turnout from the community.
The workshop, titled “Youth Empowerment: Making Positive Choices,” aimed to equip young people with the tools needed to make informed and healthy decisions, build confidence, and develop leadership skills. The session emphasized fostering a culture of respect and responsibility among the youth.
Billy Erwin, Principal of Success Academy and a member of Omega 180 Restoration, delivered an inspiring talk that encouraged young attendees to take charge of their futures.
During an interactive session, Billy Erwin posed the question, “What is a decision you had to make today?” Cordell Degraffenreid responded by sharing his choice to attend track practice. While the immediate consequence was a sore body, Cordell highlighted the long-term benefit—winning races. His story underscored the theme of making positive choices even when faced with short-term discomfort.
Kenneth Longuemire from the Youth Protection Council served as the second speaker of the night. Longuemire shared valuable strategies for making healthy decisions and emphasized the importance of responsibility and respect in everyday life.
To further encourage participation, the workshop offered a free Youth Gratitude Journal to the first 25 attendees who signed up. The journals are intended to help young people practice gratitude, which has been shown to improve mental health and overall well-being.
This workshop is part of a broader initiative by the VCD in partnership with Houghton-Jones Neighborhood Association to empower families, strengthen neighborhoods, and provide practical resources on topics such as gun safety, conflict resolution, mental health, financial literacy, and community engagement.
The series continues every Tuesday, and community members are encouraged to attend and engage in these valuable discussions.
Click here to learn more about our upcoming workshops. To register, contact the Houghton-Jones Neighborhood Association at (989) 752-1660.
