Photo provided by BGCMA
By TheChampionNewspaper.com
Chamblee teen Lizbeth Martinez is among nine teens throughout metro Atlanta competing for Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta (BGCMA)’s 2020-21 Youth of the Year.
According to a BGCMA announcement, the Youth of the Year award is BGCMA’s highest honor, recognizing teens from clubs in the metro Atlanta area who are working hard, investing in themselves, and demonstrating leadership in their schools, communities, clubs, and career pursuits.
Martinez stated in a BGCMA questionnaire that being a member of the club, helped her to realize her goal of becoming a social worker in the future. She said the club has also helped her to overcome mental health challenges.
“Helping at the front desk and working over the summer helped me with my anxiety because I had to interact with new people or people, I am not used to seeing all the time. I also always knew that if I were having a bad day, there would always be someone I could talk to,” she responded.
Martinez said she enjoys assisting at BGCMA events and helping to translate and likes to educate herself on issues happening around the world to help educate others and fight against injustice.
She and winners from more than 10 Boys & Girls Club locations will be honored at the first Livestream 2020 Youth of the Year Experience on Nov. 6 from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. To RSVP and watch live, visit https://2020YOY.givesmart.com.
The Livestream Youth of the Year Experience, presented by Bank of America, is free to the public and is planned to feature speeches from BGCMA’s top teen leaders, community supporters and live entertainment. One teen will be crowned Metro Atlanta Youth of the Year.
This year’s theme, “Voices of Our Communities,” speaks to how BGCMA teens are stepping up and serving as leaders in driving positive change.
“I’m truly inspired by our teens’ commitment to making positive change in their own lives, as well as the lives of their peers and the community around them,” stated David Jernigan, president and CEO of BGCMA. “Despite the tough times we face as a nation, our teens continue to lead with confidence and compassion, and I’m excited to see their journey unfold. Our youth give us hope for the future.”
Read the original story on TheChampionNewspaper.com.
