
Special thanks to Repair The World NYC for hosting, to our 4 youth speakers – Deidra Dunkley, Nate Raymond, Jahnaia Vaughn-Elliott, and Shavanna Reid – for sharing their reflections, Kelso for delicious dinner, Bob & Betty’s Market for snacks, Butter & Scotch for an amazing cake, and David Gaskin, Heather Day, Caitlin Gibb, and YO S.O.S. Co-Founder Marlon Peterson for their inspirational remarks. As Marlon stated in his speech, “I don’t subscribe to the idea that youth are tomorrow’s leaders; rather, they are the leaders of today.” Together, we will end gun violence!
I stand before you today to share this treasures moment in which we graduate from a great program, Taking part in YO S.O.S. has had a large impact on my life over the past year. We learned many things and it has helped build us into strong young adults in many ways. YO S.O.S. enlightened us to be more open minded on many things such as violence in our neighborhoods and how to deal with these things cooperatively and ways to stop violence as a whole.
Being the youth branch of S.O.S. has been a pleasure. S.O.S. is a group of adults using the Cure Violence method to stop violence in Crown Heights and Bed-Stuy and they work hard everyday and see improvement, which is proof that hard work pays off.
My time with you guys has been beyond amazing and inspirational. I have never felt so comfortable with a group and still been able to work effectively. Being a part of YO S.O.S., I have not made any friends, I have made family. Family which I will never forget because a bond with such meaning is sinful to be broken. We must stay in touch and work together to make this world a better place. With our power and knowledge and we will prosper and achieve all goals.
Meeting you guys was a blessing and now we must all move on in life to make our marks on this world, but never forget our wonderful life changing moments spent with YO S.O.S.
Class of 2015 YO S.O.S. we have accomplished our goals and exceeded many barriers!
Thank you.
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