Empowered to Rise: 6 young men complete mentorship, Richmond employment program
VENN
RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Six young men have chosen resilience over risk in completing a six-week program geared towards mentoring, training and employment.
The YINOC Program was created by two non-profit organizations -- Youth Impact and Northside Outreach Center.
"Some of these young people have been kicked out of school, they feel like they can't achieve anything, they feel downtrodden and this opportunity encouraged them," said Travis Woods, Youth Impact Founder and YINOC program director. "We just want to decrease the crime, the truancy and the dropout rate in the city of Richmond."
The six-week program seeks to empower teens and young adults with vocational training, personal growth, community engagement and crime prevention.
(Photo: Victoria Lucas, 8News)
(Photo: Victoria Lucas, 8News)
During the first cohort, the six graduates received HVAC training and mentorship in the empowerment and transformation sectors listed above.
8News had the chance to speak with two graduates who had faced adversity within the legal system but looked to their family and self-reflection to turn the page.
"When I started to see all the killings and how easy it is for people to die.. I was like 'I have people that care for me, I could live for and be something out of it," said 17-year-old Ramahd Lewis of Fredricksburg.
Another 17-year-old graduate -- Lil' James Winston, Jr., of Richmond -- attributed his moment of change to his mother, adding he is ready for a new life.
"I was really looking at how successful my mom wanted me to be. So, I had to really put my big boy shoes on," Winston said. "After this, we have something going for ourselves. We've got bigger things coming ahead of us, so I'm not even thinking about the streets right now."
The six graduates will soon be employed due to their completion -- they now await employment placements.
According to Woods, the next YINOC cohort will begin in October 2026. For more information or to sign up, click here.
