By Samatar Ali

The most recent Youth Development of Columbus, YDC fundraiser on Saturday, April 12, 2025, was more than just an event. It was a reflection of everything we believe in. With about 100 people in attendance, we gathered, celebrated, and raised money to continue doing what we love: creating safe spaces, opportunities, and real change for the next generation. It was powerful.

People came ready to give, to connect, and to pour into something bigger than themselves. The energy in the room was full of hope, joy, and community. At a time when it would be easy to disengage, people showed up. In the face of budget cuts and barriers, we were reminded that we are our greatest resource. And with your support, we’re going to keep pushing forward.

Why This Matters

The funds raised at this event will help keep YDC alive. Not just as an organization, but as a lifeline. We exist because there was a gap in our community. A missing space. A question that needed answering: Where do youth go to feel safe, to be seen, to be supported?

“YDC was created in response to that. We realized we couldn’t wait for someone else to fix things. We had to be the change we wanted to see. We built this space for our youth, and every donation made at the fundraiser is a vote of confidence that this work matters,” said Samatar Ali, President of Youth Development of Columbus (YDC) .

“Due to our community’s generosity, we’re able to keep our programs free, accessible, and full of intention.”

Impact

Back-to-School Drives:

So far, we’ve given out over 700 backpacks full of school supplies to students across the city. This isn’t just about tools for the classroom. It’s about showing students that they matter before the first bell even rings. It’s about starting the year off with pride and confidence.

Annual Summer Mentorship Program:

Every summer, we connect youth with mentors in the fields they dream about — medicine, media, business, and more. Through hands-on experience, workshops, and one-on-one mentorship, young people don’t just hear ‘you can do it’. They actually start doing it.

Basketball Tournaments:

We use sports to teach deeper values: teamwork, trust, and community. Our tournaments bring people together; not just to play, but to connect. On the court, youth build relationships, leadership, and pride in their community.

We Are a Third Space

YDC is more than a set of programs. We are a third space. Not home, not school, but something just as essential. We’re a place where teens can breathe, laugh, talk, be themselves, and feel safe. We’re a place that gives parents peace of mind, knowing their child has somewhere real to go. And when we talk about change, this is what we mean. Change starts when youth feel safe enough to grow. It starts when they’re supported, when they’re heard, and when they’re reminded that they matter.

This Fundraiser Was a Reminder

Our fundraiser was a beautiful reminder that we’re not doing this alone. That even with policy shifts and funding losses at the national level, our people are still choosing to invest in local youth. That is what real community looks like. You showed us that the work we do is worth fighting for, and with your support we’re going to keep building, keep protecting, and keep pouring into the next generation.

How You Can Help

YDC is growing, and we’re just getting started. We have more dreams, more programs, and more young people to reach, but we can’t do it alone. Whether you’re a young person looking for a place to belong, a parent seeking support, or someone who wants to invest in youth-led change, there’s a place for you here.

Here’s how to get involved:

● Visit us. Stop by one of our events and see the work in action.

● Volunteer. Bring your skills, your story, your time.

● Donate. Every dollar helps us keep our programs free and accessible.

● Spread the word. Share YDC with your friends, family, and followers.

Because when we pour into youth, we’re not just changing individual lives — we’re shifting the future of our entire community.

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