Empower our Youth

Tonya founded Empower our Youth Foundation when her middle daughter experienced cyberbullying her senior year of High School. The incident left her family disheartening and dismayed in how law enforcement and her school dealt with the severe bullying incidents. She had thought of suicide to escape the pain she was enduring daily. The recurring incidents opened her eyes to how many parents/youths were experiences the same anguish and stigmas with no resolution. Empower our Youth Foundation began to focus on enhancing the lives of families, and youth/teens ages 5-17 years old in the Columbus and surrounding areas through bullying prevention, Literacy/STEM, mental health wellness, community engagement, suicide prevention resources and assist families with the official reporting of bullying to the appropriate authorities. 
Our board members work towards collaborating with community leaders, agencies, and individuals to establish community partnerships to expand the mission and vision of Empower Our Youth Foundation.

2022-2023 Highlights
● EYOF Celebrate Life and Diversity Antibullying Fashion Show August 21, 2022
● Launched EPIC Kids Literacy/STEM Academy December 3, 2022
● Given out over 1500 books to youth/High schoolers to build home libraries and a love of reading.
● Empower over 300 youth with impactful STEM, literacy, technology and self-empowerment skills.
● 2022 Chamber of Commerce, MBAC and Columbus Urban League members
● Build partnership with schools, community, organizations and other stakeholders to support our mission. 
● Antibullying Fashion show events during the Reynoldsburg Juneteenth Festivals 2022-2023
● Executive Director Tonya Kelly, 2023 Columbus Hero Monthly Semifinalist