The group is now celebrating seven teens who graduated from high school last week. "I didn't have hope -- I just started getting hope after I came to this program," said 8-year-old Sharmerke Abdi, who plans to coach kids when he graduates from college. "My family is proud of me. I am the first graduate in my house. It feels good." June 21, 2024
The graduating teens credit My Project USA with providing a safe haven and shielding them from gun violence while they were growing up on the westside,As the teens posed for photos after receiving their diplomas, their thoughts were on 15-year-old Issa Jeylani, who was shot and killed in July 2022.While the westside organization is making a difference in keeping kids safe, it says it's now fighting youth violence.
The City of Columbus says more than $25 million in funding requests were received, and just 90 of the 190 community groups applying received money, sharing $8.6 million that was made available.