How ATY was Founded
Affect the Youth (ATY) was founded in response to the tragic death of George Floyd, which caused a significant shift in societal awareness and deepened the country’s divisions. The founders of ATY engaged in conversations that led to the establishment of an organization with a clear vision for creating change.
What is STREAM?
STREAM stands for Science, Technology, Real World, Engineering, Arts/Athletics, and Math. It serves as a conduit for our broader vision by providing opportunities for personal growth and development to young people of all races and ethnicities. Our hope is that by engaging the next generation, we can change the minds of those who may one day be in a position to take a life.
Our program is designed to be inclusive and comprehensive, encompassing all aspects of education and providing support for those seeking higher education, a trade, or pursuing an entrepreneurial vision. By offering a multifaceted approach to education, we believe we can make a meaningful impact on the lives of young people and the broader community.
The challenges we face are complex and difficult, and finding solutions has proven elusive. One founding member of ATY stated, “We don’t need new laws, we just need to follow the ones in place. Everyone should be able to go home from a routine traffic stop.” Despite this, the question remains: how can we solve a problem that is much bigger than any individual or organization?
We believe that the challenges we face in our country’s policing are rooted in a variety of factors, including race and socioeconomic status. However, the underlying issue is a failure to see ourselves in each other.
ATY’s mission is to impact the hearts of our peers, change the narratives within young minds, and provide positive examples of what it means to be human, loving, giving, and empathetic. To accomplish this, we have developed the STREAM program.