Ep. 12 - Club Kid to State Star: Holden’s 13-Year Journey

A kid walks up to the CEO of Boys and Girls Clubs of America, shakes his hand, and says, “I want your job one day.” That sounds like a movie line until you hear what happened next and how it connects to youth leadership, mentorship, and big goals that start in ordinary places.

We’re joined by Ashley (today’s host) and Holden Jeffries, our 2026 Youth of the Year for Arkansas and local winner, to rewind his Boys and Girls Club journey from age six to senior year. Holden shares the small moments that built real confidence: after-school routines, summer field trips, gym games, a childhood talent show, and the friendships that stick for life. We also talk about how club programs create a bridge between school and home by teaching practical life skills and values, including Passport to Manhood and the mentors who helped shape Holden’s idea of what it means to show up for others.

Then we get very specific about the Youth of the Year process: the essays, resume, cover letter, recommendations, interviews, and the memorized speech that pushes teens to clarify their story and their platform. Holden explains why he chose food insecurity in Arkansas, how he raised funds for non-perishable food, supported blessing boxes, and worked to reduce the stigma around hunger. You’ll also hear how networking and courage opened doors, including time at national headquarters after that now-famous handshake.

If you care about teen leadership development, scholarship opportunities, community service, or the real impact of Boys and Girls Club programs, hit subscribe, share this with someone who needs it, and leave a review. What cause would you choose as your platform?

Transcript

Welcome And Meet The Hosts

SPEAKER_01 0:00

Welcome back everyone. My name is Holden and I'm your host for the Youth Unmuted podcast. This is a team-led podcast with the Boys and Girls Club of Biton County where we share unique stories that relate to today's youth. Let's get started.

SPEAKER_00 0:15

What up, guys? Welcome back to Youth Unmuted. I'm Holden Jeffries. That's not right. I'm Ashley. I'm the host for today's uh podcast. But I am with the big star Holden Jeffries. He is my best friend. But he's also our 2026 Youth of the Year for Arkansas and Local. So super excited to hear about his journey through the club, but also hear more about his platform for food insecurity, um, how his community connects him with um other members in the in the movement. And um just overall excited to be here with my best friend during a podcast. So thank you, Volden, for letting me host you today.

SPEAKER_01 0:52

No, absolutely. I'm excited. It's gonna be really cool to be on a different side of the care moves time and get to answer the questions to Adstin.

SPEAKER_00 0:58

Yeah. So I've

Childhood Club Memories And Field Trips

SPEAKER_00 1:00

known you for several years and you've been a club member for 13 years. But there's a lot of things that people don't know about your club journey. So can you take us far back whenever you were six years old and tell us about your journey um at the club?

SPEAKER_01 1:13

Yeah, absolutely. So a lot of what I do now and just like what I've been known for has kind of really been about like the community aspect and like what I've done to give back and kind of just make those connections, which is great and really just has been a passion of mine. But you know, before that, you know, I was just a club kid, you know. I attended the club every day after school. I came during the summer. It was really just a place for me to like feel safe, hang out with my friends, and just get to enjoy some free time while my mom was at work. And it meant a lot to me because um that was where my I met my best friend, Eric. He is still my best friend. We talk every day, and I'm so grateful for that. But we just have so many great memories at the club, just like a whole bunch of other club kids do that had the opportunities to attend. I can always remember after school, we'd get out, and if it was nice outside, we'd go play tag outside, and just everyone would play with us, and we had this huge group playing on the playground, and that was always super fun. And then if it was cold or just if it was a gym day, we'd go in the gym and play basketball or dodgeball. Or we had this game, it was called Fire in the Jungle, and we played it all the time, and it was where everyone was a different animal, and then there was taggers, and so like let's say I was a cheetah. Um, when they called cheetah, you know, we'd have to run from one end of the gym to the next without getting touched by the three people that were in the middle, and so we played that constantly because that was super fun. I feel like every game we played involved running, but that's all we wanted to do as a kid, you know, get all that energy out. So that was super fun. And that was kind of just some of like my earliest memories of just playing outside, just being active, and just really being able to enjoy my time out to club. Um, and then in the summer, you know, we always had field trips, which were also another cool thing that we got to do. I remember we got to go play mini golf and we got to go to Sky Zone. So there's been a lot of cool stuff that we've got to do, and the staff always make it fun, you know, and they as they join in with us. Or uh another one, we got to go to the movies a lot, which I really enjoyed, just being able to sit back, eat a lot of popcorn, you know. So the club definitely it has a lot of great opportunities, but there's also so much just fun experiences that you get to do, especially as you're growing up as just like a littler kid compared to being a teenager.

SPEAKER_00 3:25

Yeah, I love that. And uh one of my favorite memories, I mean you're just gonna kill me for saying this, is whatever you did the talent show as a kid. And uh, you know, at that time I don't think you realized uh or remembered that I was a stack there at the club, but um that was a fun moment of you being on the talent show. So do you still have the singing?

SPEAKER_01 3:44

Yeah, this is no, I don't. I um I don't know what confidence I felt like I had back then, but I do remember doing the talent show and that was a lot of fun. I don't I'll say I sing now, like in the car, you know, by myself, but that's definitely it, you know. Like I I can't sing. I don't think I could ever sing, but you know, I just had that confidence back in the day, and I was like, you know what, I'm gonna get up on stage and do it.

SPEAKER_00 4:08

But what I appreciate about is you have the confidence back then, but you have the confidence now too.

SPEAKER_01 4:13

So different kind of confidence. Different kind of confidence. I don't think I'd get up and sing in front of anyone now. I'll leave that to the professionals.

SPEAKER_00 4:20

You could be an MC though.

SPEAKER_01 4:21

I could, that would be fun. Just being happy, they don't have to hear my singing voice. I think people would prefer if I was an MC instead of singing.

SPEAKER_00 4:27

Yeah. And whenever you were a club kid, though, that's how you found your forever long time friend Eric. So do you ever speak a little bit more about that?

SPEAKER_01 4:34

No, yeah, for sure. So Eric is in the grade above me. I'm a senior right now, and Eric is a freshman in college. He goes to uh UC8, University of Central Arkansas, and he is almost done. He got about a month left of his freshman year. And our friendship really did start because of the club. Uh, we didn't have any classes together just because of that year

Friendship With Eric And Club Values

SPEAKER_01 4:55

gap we had in school. And I remember just getting to hang out with him all the time at the club because we both like lived in that same like units area. And then like right when we became friends at the club, me and my mom moved and we moved right down the street to Eric. And so it was crazy. It was um we ended up hanging out like almost every day. Like I remember the first thing I do on the weekend is like get up and I bite to Eric's house. Like, I wouldn't even like ask. I just like get right up there and knock on his front door. His parents probably goes, Here's holding the game. Um, but it's so it's been so fun to like have him and his family in my life, you know. There's some people that I know I can always count on. And that friendship was originally started by with the club and kind of just the values that they teach about, you know, being like a gentleman, you know, treating your friends well, the golden rule. Like all those things that the club teaches is a big reason on why we're still friends to this day. And he's home for spring break. Like we've hung out every day. We hung out last night. Like we get to hang out all the time, and we still have that strong friendship, even though we are apart from each other so much. And that's I think just because of the values that have been instilled in us from the Boys and Girls Club.

SPEAKER_00 6:02

I love that you guys still have that strong friendship and that you're supporting him from afar and that he's still supporting you and being involved with you as far as the club and just a friendship. So that's pretty awesome. Um, but before we dive deep into the youth of the year and what that's about, share a little bit more about the programs that you were also involved in with the club and tell us what you learned from them and some of your favorite moments

Programs That Teach Real Life Skills

SPEAKER_00 6:24

with that.

SPEAKER_01 6:24

Yeah, of course. So I remember there has their club offers so many programs. Like I'm telling you, like, if there's a club that you want, well, we either have it or like we can make it happen. And that's what I think is so unique about the Boys and Girls Club is that there's not a specific standard or set amount of programs that your club can offer. If you there is a need or an interest, like that club will start. I remember uh we had an interest in gardening, and so like the next year we had a gardening club, and that that was when I was like eight years old, and it still runs to this day. And there's a plant club or like a gardener's club, but like not for vegetables, for like actual plants and stuff. Oh, we had a healthy habits club that I joined, and that one was super cool because I remember it was I I'm allergic to peanuts, and so I remember that one was like specifically tailored to me to like what we had was like maybe peanut alternatives, you know, to make sure that like if we're having a smoothie, you know, you can put peanut butter in this, but but there's also sun butter alternatives or something like this to still get your protein in. And so it also just felt like super inclusive no matter what we were doing. One that has meant a lot to me was Passport to Manhood. Um, I mentioned earlier, like me when me and my mom moved, it's just been me and my mom at home. Um, she's a single mother and I'm an only child. So it's kind of just been us growing up, and I'm super grateful for that because my mom has and continues to do um a spectacular job at raising me, going to work, and just providing for our family, and I'm super grateful for that. Um, but a piece of that was missing was uh having not a father figure in my life. And I have a lot of amazing coaches and men and family members in my life, but like still that key aspect of having that father figure there in my life every day is missing and was missing. And so what Passport to Manhood does is kind of just allows these young men or just boys in middle school or high school to really learn what it's like to be a gentleman. It teaches you the proper values, but it also teaches you some things that you need to learn on just to be able to provide like for your family or just for yourself. Um, I remember there's there's a lot of things we did. One thing was we learned how to shave, and we uh we blew balloons and then we put shaving cream on them, and we just got to practice like using a razor and like shaving on a balloon, which I thought was very unique, and you know, like if it if you like did it too hard or like you messed up, you know, the balloon would pop and shaving cream would just go everywhere. So that was a really fun thing we did. We learned how to change a tire. We actually got to like take the tire off of our uh program director at their our program manager at the time, his name was Sean. We took his tire off of the car and then like got to re put it on. So like he had a lot of trust in us to do that, uh, which was really fun. And then there's just so much other things, like just learning that it's okay to not have a father in your life, or even if like there's someone who some people who did, excuse me, just like learning to appreciate, you know, like that father figure, maybe it's your stepdad or your actual father, or no matter what the circumstance would be, like just have that appreciation. And then like for me, I learned that there are so many amazing men who like have stepped up in my life. Like, I want to make sure when I grow up and when I have a family that I can be that father that I truly never had in my life, and I can instill the values that I want to see in my son and in my daughter, and just really kind of get to be that example that the club has given me to their staff and their program managers, but also like the coaches and the family members that have helped me. I want to be able to do that for my child and just really make sure that they get the experience and the um the values and like the mentorship, the role model that I have got from others.

SPEAKER_00 10:01

That that gave me a goose mounts. You're such an inspiration to um myself and of other staff and and youth that we serve. So really glad that you're part of our village and our community. Um, one thing that I love about the club, several things I love about the club, or the programs that we do have, is because we're we're bridging the gap between school and home and we're really teaching those live skills that they may not be able to learn at home. So, like you sharing the shaving the balloon uh to learn how to shave and how to tie and tie and stuff, I think those are the things that people don't understand that we do at the club and instill those life skills and give those opportunities to make people successful, to make youth like you successful um after the boys and girls club or outside of school. And so thank you for sharing some of those because I know that um those those are fun programs to be a part of too. But it also takes the youth to want to be involved in something, to want to learn, to be eager, to um, you know, do hands-on activities really uh set yourself your set yourself up for success. So um thank you for sharing that. I I love that.

Youth Of The Year Process Explained

SPEAKER_00 11:05

Um, but now we're gonna switch gears to youth of the year. Uh, this is what this podcast is about today is to learn more about youth of the year, but also learn about Holden and how exceptional he is, human being, a hu uh an awesome teen, um, uh awesome advocate for uh Boys and Girls Club. And because of him, he puts the spotlight on Boys and Girls Club when we need to put the spotlight on him. So uh can you walk us through the youth of the year process and what's that's what what that was like for of course the youth of the year program is very unique.

SPEAKER_01 11:34

And um, I currently work at Sonic and I had to fill out a resume and I did an interview, and it was very difficult, but at the same time, it was nothing like the youth of the year process. The youth of the year process is a lot, but it is very rewarding, and it also sets you up for the real world, real, real world because you're doing that and more than what is necessary. And that is something that I am very grateful for. So the youth of the year process is deciding and choosing one youth aged 14 to 18, so young adult, to represent either your county, your state, your region, or the whole Boys and Girls Club Move it, depending on how far you make it, just based off of, you know, how they have been raised, you know, their values, what they want to advocate for. And there's a specific process that you go through to find that youth of the year. And so um, what you do is you start by getting a packet, and in that packet, you have to write three essays. One is about personal growth, one is about what matters to me, and then your club experience. And so, for your personal growth, kind of you know, like how has the club allowed you to grow from like when you started the club, where were you compared to where you are now? And so, since I've had that 13 years to be a part of the club, my personal growth is amazingly, it has changed so much. And my growth has been very largely due to the Boys and Girls Club. And then what matters to me, that is all about your platform. Um, when you are applying for Youth of the Year program, uh, you need to have a platform, something that you can advocate for, um, something that you are passionate about. And for me, that was fruit insecurity, and that is because of the youth of the year program that I found that platform. Obviously, growing up, I was in eighth grade when I started my first uh youth of the year journey. You didn't really have platforms. Most kids my age did not. But the youth of the year makes you think about something that you're passionate for and be able to be an advocate about. And then the last one was your club experience, you know. So just what has your club done for you that you feel like you would not have gained without the Boys and Girls Club and kind of just what are your memories or takeaways or just something unique about the Boys and Girls Club that you do not see anywhere else? And so besides those three, those three essays, you often have to create a resume so that can just be your extracurriculars, you know, your leadership, your community service with or without the Boys and Girls Club, uh, which you do at school, you know, are you involved in sports, extracurriculars, clubs like FDLA, FCA, just random stuff like that. But also just anything that you think is necessary to kind of show who you are, but also brag on yourself a little bit. I think that's something that's important about a resume. It can be hard to like put these awards, like these extracurriculars on there. It's like, well, I don't want to brag about myself. Like, this is your chance. Like, that is what your resume is for is highlight, you know, your strengths and who you are through like what you have earned and been recognized for. Let's see, you have the essays, the resume, you also have a cover letter. So kind of just writing a letter of who you are and why you think you should be the youth of the year, whether that's on a county or even national level. Uh they have a little template to like help you get there, but it can also just be uniquely to yourself, you know, with um what you know, what you have to offer being youth of the year. If you go in, what are you going to do with your platform and kind of just your background in the Boys and Girls Club? So there's a lot that comes through that. You have to immediately fill out those packets. Um, something else, you have to get letters of recommendation, one from your club and then one from the community. And so that can be hard itself, you know, finding a trusted adult that you know to be able to write about you and just be able to really articulate who you are into just like a short page or two that's going to exemplify you from others. And then lastly, after you fill out your packet, you have interviews. And in these interviews, you have 15 minutes and they will um kind of ask you questions based off of what you have written, but they might also come up with some more just like general interview questions. And so that's how you're graded originally at county is based off of your packet and then also your speech. And then if you do win the county level, you go on to state. And after and at state, and then on, you need to have a speech. And your speech is to be comprised of the three essays that you wrote, kind of just pulling like the overall structure from it and kind of what you want to get across. Um, and in your speech, you need to have it completely memorized and it needs to be around two to three minutes. Um, no more than three minutes, but I don't think it has um like a minimum. Just as you just want to be able to really share your story while also kept capturing the tone of your essays. And so that is it. Like I said, it's a little bit, I say that's it, but that was a lot. Um it's a rigorous process, but it's also very rewarding because what the the Youth of the Year program does is it prepares you for that real world. It gets you ready with your resume and your interview skills, but it also directly gives you college scholarship money or post-high school money. So if you want to go into the trade or colleges or just whatever next for you after high school, the Boys and Girls Club is there, and the Youth of the Year program helps with that financial burden. And so the farther on you compete, the more money that you get. And so that has been something that has allowed me to be able to go to the colleges I really want to because I want to go to the University of Arkansas and I want to major in organizational management and leadership. And because I'm going to such a big school and I want this bachelor's degree and maybe even continue to get my master's one day, that financial burden is important and it definitely was a factor in what college I was going to choose. But because of the Boys and Girls Club and the Youth of the Year program and the sponsors and connections it has, I now know that I can go to this college and I can work hard through the youth of the year program and other scholarships to achieve not having to get out and thousands or hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt. And that is just because of what the Boys and Girls Club offers and how the youth of the year program is there to assist you, especially just being able to spotlight you and make those connections. Because let's say you don't win, but you still you make a connection with an interviewer or maybe someone who works at a college you want to go to, or maybe they just feel moved by your platform and your impact that they want to help you. Because it's so more than just actual scholarship money. It's also about the connections and the experience you gain that is going to set you up for college as well.

SPEAKER_00 17:50

Yeah. Like you said, this is a very rigorous process for youth to go through, but it teaches them those life skills that we talked about where you can learn how to communicate. You can learn how to give a firm handshake, you can learn how to uh sit into an interview and answer questions about yourself or the skills that you can bring and contribute to a company or organization. But also it teaches them how to apply themselves. So how they can earn scholarship money. So at our local level, uh, we he competed against 10 other youth. Um, and our local level, just by compete, like filling out the application and going through the interview process, each candidate gets $500 in scholarship. And the finalist gets $2,500 and the winner gets $5,000. And then after that, the winner gets to compete at state, which he is our state winner. Um, but he got $2,000 for winning state. And then in May, he will compete in Southwest region and Dallas. Um, and the one thing about the the Southwest region when you make it to that level is they have a lightning ram gala. So at their gala, let's say they're trying to raise uh $150,000. They split that $150,000 to each candidate that evening. So each candidate walks away with thousands of dollars in scholarship to apply for school or workforce or any any needs that they need that can help them financially through those two processes. So if he advances to Southwest, he could win $20,000 for winning on top of that cut amongst the other candidates he's compete against. And the nationals would be in October in New York. So uh rooting for him to make it all the way. I think that every teen is deserving, but I think Holden is one that has really made this his life goal and mission ever since eighth grade uh youth of the year. He was like, I want to win national youth of the year one day. So he has built his platform over the course of four or five years. And so now I just want to hear more about uh how you've worked on your platform over the last four or five years, ever since uh eighth grade, you competed eighth grade.

Scholarships And What You Can Win

SPEAKER_01 19:55

Yeah, of course. So I just remember competing in eighth grade and like being over and just being like, okay, now I know that we're gonna wait. You know, that's always been the plan to wait until CN year to compete again. So I had for almost five years to really be able to just grow my platform, grow my knowledge on food insecurity and kind of just a whole you to the year process. And so specifically with U to the Year, you know, I started speaking at local clubs and organizations, sharing about my club journey and just how food insecurity is a prevalent, prevalent issue in my community. Um and through this, I raised over $2,000 that um we use to buy non-perishable canned food items. Um, and we donated those to blessing boxes. Blessing boxes are kind of like a small community food pantry where people can uh donate what they can and take what they need. Uh and it's just a simple way for people to be able to give back, but also um take what you need without having to feel like embarrassed or having that stigma that you know kind of comes with hunger that I hope to eliminate one day. And that is kind of why I push to advocate for food insecurity is because it's so prevalent, especially in Arkansas, and just being able to give back. And so I got to make great connections, you know, speaking at organizations. And one that we got to speak, I got to speak at recently was the Alice Waldman Foundation, and they had an all-staff meeting, and there was around 500 employees in attendance, I believe. And um, one of their missions and one of the pe um organizations they wanted to donate to were um people fighting food insecurity. And so I got to come in and speak on that and really just kind of connect with people about the importance of advocation, but also the importance of food insecurity and donate however you can. Maybe that's donating your time and volunteering at a food pantry. Maybe you have the resources to build your own blessing box. So you just you have some extra canned food, you know you're not gonna excuse me, you know you're not gonna eat, so you can just go and donate that. There's just many ways to give back, and it doesn't have to be very um expensive, it doesn't have to take hours and hours of time. Like you can get out of it like what you put in. If you just want to donate like two cans of food, like Like that's still gonna make an impact. That's still gonna help a family in need that needs that. And so I think that's something that's super important. And so my my thing has kind of just been advocating for food and security, but also advocating for the club. Because the Boys and Girls Club has gave given me so many opportunities to be able to get back. Like I'm be I'm able to be here in front of you guys today, sharing about my platform and host this podcast. I mean, except for today, of course, you're the host. Thank you. And you're doing a great job. Appreciate it. Um, but I get to I get to share my story in front of you guys. I get to interview amazing guests. I get to travel um to Dallas, to Atlanta, to DC,

Building A Food Insecurity Platform

SPEAKER_01 22:36

to Florida. Like I've been all over the country because of you to the year and the Boys and Girls Club. Surely it's just important to me to share my story because of what the Boys and Girls Club has done, but also speak on food and security to help make sure that no club kid or family goes hungry ever ago.

SPEAKER_00 22:53

Yeah, thank you. And I I I'm happy that you shared a little bit more about your platform um and the process that you went through. Um and the goal that you set for yourself is very admirable to be able to um, as an eighth grader, be like, I I don't really know what this process is, but I'm gonna do it. And then you learn so much from it. Uh the networking aspect is really huge. Um, that can get you really far in and who you can connect with and and make those connections and um advocacy and things

Meeting The BGCA CEO In Atlanta

SPEAKER_00 23:21

like that. So one of the things that uh was really a cool opportunity for you that I'll let you share more about was when we went to Southwest Youth of the Year when you were in eighth grade and you went up to uh Mr. Jim Clark and you shook his hand and you said, I want your job one day. What happened after that?

SPEAKER_01 23:37

Yeah, so uh Jim Clark is the CEO and president of Boys and Girls Clubs of America. And so he goes around to the regional competitions and just speaks a little bit, also just meets the candidates. And so when I talked to him and I told him that I want his job one day, um, he very graciously invited me and my advisor to come spend the day with him and headquarters in Atlanta and kind of see what it is like to be the CEO. I got to go around and spend a little bit of time with each of his uh team leads, but also just get to see what his job is like. I even got to be a part of one of their all-staff meetings online. I got to sit at his desk. So it was really cool. And uh I was super appreciative for that opportunity. I think that kind of just shows the mission of the Boys and Girls Club. Like you take the highest person, like the CEO and president over Boys and Girls Clubs of America, and just like just I was just a simple club kid who told him my my passion, my end goal was to have his job, be the CEO of such a nonprofit organization that does so much. And he immediately was like, okay, let's make it happen, you know. Come and spend the day with me, see what my job is like, ask questions, you know, get to connect with other people. And he's just been such an amazing person to like get to connect with and really kind of he's kind of like a role model because I do want to be in a position like that to be able to lead but also give back. Um he's even been on one of our um episodes before we got to have him virtually, and then I've seen him throughout my time as other um BGCA representative through the Keystone Steering Committee and like the National Youth Advisory Council, which is stuff we'll get to later. Um, but he has been someone who I have met very often, and that is because of the uniqueness of him and kind of this the Boys and Girls Club, and really just truly wanting to make a difference in the kids. And you can see that firsthand, you know, just has what he has done with me and so many other club kids truly make sure that their voice feels heard and um they want to be able to do what they can. And the boys and girls club is gonna help them and spotlight them in any way possible.

SPEAKER_00 25:37

Yeah, absolutely. And I think that the club just has that uh capability of giving opportunities like that, the opportunities of traveling, the opportunities of networks, but also like the memories. I know that we have a lot of great memories that we've um, you know, few accumulated over the course of traveling. And and there's a lot more that we can dive into later. But I know that was one of probably my favorite moments was you going and shaking his hand and saying, I want your job. And then shortly after that, him reaching out and saying, Hey, come spend a day with me in headquarters. And so I thought that was a really awesome and bold move of you. Um, and like look where you're at now today, being able to sit here and speak comfortably about um the club, but also yourself and who you are and staying true to yourself. I think that's like super important. But um what else do you have for your youth of the year journey journey before you move on?

SPEAKER_01 26:27

Yeah, absolutely.

Why Teens Should Go For It

SPEAKER_01 26:28

Just with my youth of the year journey, I just think it's so important for every club here that's listening or anyone that's thinking about, you know, kind of going an extra step to you, put yourself in the better position to succeed, to just go for it. I was just an eighth grader and I didn't know a lot about the journey or what it meant. Um, especially being so young, you know, I kind of was just like, oh, I get $500 in scholarship if I complete it, you know. And like I might as well. Um, but it turned out to be so much more. And there are so many opportunities that I feel like people can pass up on because they're not really sure you what the outcome could be. So just if you're thinking about doing something, if your club could thinking about doing the youth of the year program or any other program, I say go for it, you know. You never know what could happen. And at the very least, it's experience and you can say that you did it. Um I'm so grateful for the opportunities that I have. And it's just because I was like, you know what, let's try it. I didn't know a lot about it, but it turned out to be one of the biggest blessings, if not the biggest blessing in my life. And it's allowed me to achieve so many things and I'm still achieving to have my biggest goal, which is being that national heat of the year. And it's because of the connections and the boys and girls club that I'm able to do that.

Part One Wrap And Subscribe

SPEAKER_00 27:34

Yeah. And this is a big reason why I love my job. I love being able to work with youth like Holden who are very inspiring, but also, you know, challenge me and push me to do better, um, not only at work, but in my own community as well. So, you know, whether that's going and helping him fill uh blessing boxes or volunteering in other opportunities, um, I think my favorite part of the job is truly just the work that we do, but also just celebrating wins, um, celebrating wins of our youth, whether that's them graduating, whether that's them winning a game or a tournament or anything like that, but also being there um during tough times, um, times that you have to have difficult conversations to help, you know, grow and expand their leadership, or just being a lending gear for them. I I think that I am truly blessed to be able to be in the position that I am to be able to work with youth like Holden, but all the other youth that we serve um who just need someone to to advocate for them, someone to be their cheerleader, someone to just, you know, tell them, hey, it's gonna be okay, but what can we do better? How can we, how can, how can we improve? What can we do differently? Um, and I'm just super blessed for the opportunity. Um, but all that to say, uh, we have a lot more to dive into for um part two. But that wraps up our part one series. So um stay tuned.

SPEAKER_01 28:58

Thank you all for tuning in. Again, I am Holden, your host. Please like this video and subscribe to Youth Unmuted wherever you get your podcast. Until next time, peace.