Meet Jaden: Youth of the Year for A.W. Tony Matthews Boys & Girls Club

Club membership: Joined in 2017

Post-Secondary/Career Interest: Join the military and serve in the National Guard, where I can build strong leadership skills, discipline, and technical expertise on automotive while serving my community and country.

How has your Club supported your goals for college, post-secondary education, and career? By organizing college tours, like visits to Morehouse College and Georgia State University. Which helped me visualize real campus life. They have also provided career readiness guidance that prepared me with essential life skills, workplace discipline, and confidence for post-secondary success.

Why is it important for the youth to use their voice in today’s society? It is essential for youth to use their voice because we bring fresh perspectives to the real issues affecting our generation and communities.

Short Bio: Jaden is a 15-year-old sophomore who credits Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta for helping him overcome the fear of public speaking. With the staff’s continuous support and encouragement, he stepped out of his comfort zone and learned to confidently present on stage and advocate for his peers.