The DeKalb County KEYS Initiative (Keep Encouraging Youth to Succeed) recently awarded 21 young people throughout DeKalb County with the Leaders or Tomorrow award. This award was created to recognize and honor the valuable contributions that young people are making in our community. 

The KEYS Initiative recognizes that youth volunteerism is a win-win for communities. Charities and not-for-profit organizations get help carrying out their mission, and the youth who are volunteering get valuable hands-on experience, a sense of purpose and a variety of benefits that help prepare them for their future.

“We are very pleased to have received a large number of nominations from all over DeKalb County and are grateful to the organizations that welcome youth volunteers,” Mary Hess, asset specialist for the KEYS Initiative, said. “Through this process we learned that there are some amazing young people living in DeKalb County and they are very graciously giving back to their communities at a young age. Their stories are inspiring.”