By Jeff Griffith | Chief Operating Officer
As we step into 2026, we want to extend our deepest gratitude to every community member, partner, and supporter who has helped us connect Detroit’s youth to brighter futures. Everything we accomplished in 2025 — from expanding youth development programs to strengthening substance use prevention efforts — was possible because our community showed up, stood with us, and invested in our young people.
Last year, our students in The Youth Connection Career Academies launched into new careers, enrolled in colleges across the country, and earned national recognition for their innovative projects. These achievements weren’t just organizational milestones — they were community victories, made possible by the collective support, mentorship, and encouragement surrounding our youth.
This sense of community became even more important earlier this year when we received unexpected news: at 10 p.m. one January night, we were informed that critical federal funding for our substance use prevention coalition was being cut immediately. Within hours, our community rallied. Nonprofit partners, advocates, and supporters joined forces to make sure Washington understood the real impact this cut would have on Detroit families. Because of this united response, our funding was restored within a day and a half.
The experience reminded us that while federal grants are helpful, it is our community — people like you — who ultimately sustain this work. Your support ensures that no matter what happens at the national level, Detroit’s youth will continue to have access to the programs, guidance, and opportunities they deserve. For that, we thank you.
Your donations have been more than financial contributions; they have been acts of protection, advocacy, and love for the young people and families we serve. You have helped us keep our mission strong and our youth safe.
This spring, we invite the entire community to come together for our largest annual fundraiser — the 2026 Chiefs Cooking for Kids, happening May 7th in Detroit. Twentyone (21) Chiefs from Fire, Police, and local corporations and agencies will share their favorite dishes as attendees vote for the next “Chief Chef.” With music, a silent auction, and unique experiences up for bid, this event is a celebration of community spirit and collective support for our youth. Every dollar raised goes directly back into programs that uplift young people across Detroit. More details are available at www.theyouthconnection.org.
Our community’s impact continues through our summer programming as well. Students in The Youth Connection Career Academies are preparing for paid summer internships — a cornerstone of our yearround development efforts. Thanks to support from Grow Detroit’s Young Talent and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, youth will gain handson work experience, learn time management and job skills, and explore Michigan’s outdoor recreation and career opportunities. For many, this summer will bring first time experiences: boating on the river, earning a boater’s safety license, camping overnight, and discovering the joy of hiking Michigan’s wilderness.
Our youth will also travel to an international substance use prevention conference, where they’ll learn new strategies, share Detroit-based projects, and bring home ideas that can strengthen prevention efforts across our city. Their voices — shaped by their lived experiences and community support — will help guide the next generation of prevention work.
As we close, we want to thank you for being part of the village that lifts our young people and shapes the future of Detroit. What our youth learn this spring and summer will stay with them for years, helping them imagine what is possible and giving them the confidence to pursue it. We are grateful for your partnership and excited for all that lies ahead at The Youth Connection.
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