In April 2005 the The Mayor's Youth Program had its first “Meet with Mayor Franklin” at the Atlanta Workforce Development Agency (AWDA). Throughout the event, one young man sat quietly and observed the college preparatory activities taking place around him.

After an AWDA staffer approached the young man it was discovered that he was not college bound, nor did he complete high school. It turned out that this young man was seeking assistance to help get his life back on track.

After enrolling in the AWDA older youth program, the young man, Jon Glenn, became involved in several AWDA activities. Ms. Scottie Stewart and Jonell Myers gave Jon the structure, discipline and guidance he needed. Although it was tough at times, they would present Jon with ultimatums which he would resist, but eventually agree to.

Finally, after bouncing in and out of the program, Ms. Stewart and Ms. Myers gave Jon the break he needed. They convinced Jon to enroll in a special program at Denmark Technical College in South Carolina. They all saddled up, packed the car and drove Jon to Denmark. Upon arriving, they met with Mr. Tyron Clinton, the recruiter for Denmark Tech. He helped Jon get registered with admissions and financial aid. Later on, Ms. Myers and Ms. Stewart helped Jon move into his first college dorm room. Once the room was done, they bid Jon good luck and headed back to Atlanta.

Little did Jon know that the world as he knew it was about to change. The transition from the unstructured streets to an academic environment was at times difficult for Jon. Gone was the call of the streets that had distracted Jon his entire life. The fast life he was accustomed to come to a crawl in Denmark. The only things calling Jon were his textbooks. Part of Jon’s success was the lack of the negative elements that kept him from success in the past.

At the end of his first semester Jon proudly presented his grades and a letter congratulating him for making the Dean’s List. Jon admits the transition from the streets to a college dorm was difficult, but well worth it.

After coming home from his first semester, Jon saw first hand what could have happened to him if he maintained his "thug" lifestyle. Jon recalls, "There was a buddy of mine that seemed to have everything when I left for school, and when I came back he was not the same. His teeth were missing, he didn’t even seem to know where he was.” He added, “That could have been me if I stayed on the streets."

We congratulate Jon on a successful first semester!