The boardroom of the recent city council meeting was filled with young people who are determined to spread a positive message through a local program that is transforming minds.
Members involved with Dream Innovations, a workforce development and learning center on Main Street in Yazoo City and operated by Raymonda Delaware and her staff, appeared before the Board of Mayor and Aldermen last Thursday, urging city leaders to invest in the local program that they feel could help attract local youth into positive activities.
“This program is like a safe home,” one member said. “With all these shootings that are happening, we are trying to give the kids something to do, make a change and be something in life. We just want to do great things in life.”
Dream Innovations offers a variety of activities and services for the local youth, including technology, virtual reality, graphic design, coding, gaming, 3D printing, robotics, music, video, the arts and even dance.
“We are learning things, and it is a good thing for Yazoo City,” one member said. “We have had so much fun this summer. Yazoo City deserves better. We need to get kids off the street and get them into a program like this.”
One member said, after seeing a variety of videos highlighting some of the group’s activities, he had to come see for himself.
“I just had to see what was going on,” he said. “A lot of us have big dreams. Some of us from communities, you might know as the hood, but we are here doing positive things. We just want to do something for the community.”
Dream Innovations was also included in a 2022 Workforce Opportunity for Rural Communities Initiative grant. The local group was awarded $1,394,535 to provide education, training and supportive services.
Daily, young members utilize Dream Innovations to develop technology skills, artistic talents and workforce training. The facility has also provided a safe place for young members to spend their time, fellowship with others and improve their social skills.
Those present at the recent city council meeting asked the board to contribute financially to the program and invest in its opportunities.
“I want to ask this board, because this board heard you all, to join me…that we all contribute $1,000 of our personal funds collectively,” said Mayor David Starling, to the city council. “You don’t have to, but I will commit to giving $1,000 of my own to support that issue. We will certainly also see what the city may be able to do.”
