Two young men who overcame significant challenges and continue to thrive after completing the City of Danville’s Project Imagine program were honored recently with the first-ever “Dare to Dream” award. 该奖项旨在表彰那些已经退出该计划并继续在个人和职业生活中取得进步的前参与者。

获奖者是Kemori Dixon和Shakavion Keen，他们在典礼上庆祝了第35届“想象计划”的毕业典礼。 该活动表彰了8名新毕业生，凸显了该项目的变革力量，自2018年启动以来，该项目已为210名青年提供了服务。

“We’re doing something new with the ‘Dare to Dream’ award,” said Robert David, the City’s violence prevention manager and founder of Project Imagine. “We’re celebrating people who didn’t give up—people who dared to think beyond the northside or the southside, beyond their neighborhood, and even beyond Danville. These young men are proof that if you don’t give up, you can’t lose.”

克莫里·迪克森：追梦者和学者运动员

迪克森于2023年5月加入了“想象计划”，在威尔·汤普森（Will Thompson）的指导下，他是“想象计划”的外展工作者，从一个苦苦挣扎的学生变成了一名高中毕业生，获得了24份足球奖学金。 他现在就读于波士顿学院（Boston College），即将进入大二，目标是成为一名首发后卫。

“Will had been training me in football, but when he introduced me to Project Imagine, I saw it as a way to turn things around,” Dixon said. “Now I’m in college, on my own, and I still use what I learned in the program every day.”

迪克森主修心理学，辅修传播学，他有一个远大的目标：在美国国家橄榄球联盟（NFL）打球，或者担任青少年咨询师。 His message to others is clear: Success starts with a vision — it’s about changing your mindset and deciding you want more for your life.

Shakavion Keen：专注于家庭和未来

基恩于2024年11月加入“想象计划”，成为第30届毕业班的一员。 With support from the program and encouragement from Curtis Artis, assistant violence prevention manager, Keen made dramatic improvements in the classroom—earning A’s and B’s during his senior year—and graduated from George Washington High School. 他现在一边工作，一边为家庭做贡献，一边计划如何指导年轻人。

“This program helped me control my anger and get back on the right track,” said Keen. “I want to keep working, help my mom, and mentor others to stay in school and out of trouble.”

基恩热爱体育运动，尤其是篮球、足球和高尔夫球，他希望用自己的经历激励其他面临类似挑战的年轻人。

新毕业生加入了越来越多的成功故事

In addition to the “Dare to Dream” award presentations, eight teens were recognized for completing orientation for the Project Imagine program. 每个毕业生都参加了密集的生活技能培训和目标设定课程，旨在为他们的长期成功做好准备。 参与者接受指导，通过凯西生活技能和克利夫顿优势完成基于力量的评估，并建立关键目标，如完成学业，避免法律纠纷和获得就业。

The teens were Kaylin Averett, Deanthony Coles Jr., Le’Areyonna Graham, Roy Green, Dayana Smith, Quinton Stokes Jr., Essence Stone, and Beonka Whitehead.

自项目启动以来，已有210名青年毕业。 每个参与者都被分配了一名外展工作者，该外展工作者提供至少一年的持续指导。

“We are proud of every young person who chooses to take a new path,” said David. “Programs like this remind us that transformation is possible when you combine opportunity, mentorship, and determination.”

关于Project Imagine

Project Imagine has become a cornerstone of Danville’s youth violence prevention efforts, drawing attention and praise across the Virginia and nationally for its effectiveness in transforming lives and strengthening communities.

For more information about Project Imagine, contact its office at (434) 857-3354 or visit its 网站.