The Right Choice Project gives back with youth initiative
Published 12:00 am Saturday, August 3, 2019
- Micah Walker creates a work of art.
LAPLACE — When Sha’Tara Sanders came to work for The Right Choice Project at the end of May, she had a vision to give the youth of the community the resources and support needed to build a new generation of capable leaders.
She recently guided a group of young people ages 16 to 22 through a seven-week summer camp that used relatable activities to teach leadership, finance, health and career essentials.
It was a success, but Sanders said her work isn’t done. New inspiration to continue the effort in local middle and high schools was ignited this week with the passing of her nephew, Kyron Perrilloux.
Kyron, 20, and his cousin, 18-year-old Kerell Sanders, were killed by gunfire late Monday night.
“When I got hired, he (Kyron) was my focal point during that interview,” Sanders said. “The violence in the community is because the youth don’t have anything to do. There’s really no one educating them and showing them a different way out. He’s my motivation. I feel like I let him down a little bit. This is what I set out to do, to help the youth, and I need to do more.”
Right Choice pictured at Gulf Islands Water Park
Kyron’s girlfriend was part of the Youth Initiative summer camp, according to Sanders. Approximately nine campers attended faithfully each week.
Every week was guided by a different theme, starting with leadership.
“We had community members come in and talk,” Sanders said. “We had members of a sorority and a councilman come and visit.”
The second week focused on finances and budgeting, and Sanders did her best to make the lessons relatable to campers.
In addition to viewing a PowerPoint, the group played Monopoly, set monthly budgets, spoke about bank accounts and set short- and long-term goals on achieving financial independence.
During life skills and job skills weeks, campers did mock interviews and discussed career goals. The Youth Initiative also featured health and fitness talks and an art week to help campers unwind through canvas painting.
Pictured at an excursion to Dave and Buster’s, participants of The Right Choice Project Youth Initiative Summer Camp include Ryan Walker, Brett Ingram, Isaiah Harvey, Micah Walker, Dominique Dantoni, Christina Banks, Kameron Batiste and Youth Coordinator Sha’Tara Sanders.
The group took field trips to Dave and Busters, Acadiana Cinemas and, as a special final week treat, an excursion to Gulf Islands Water Park in Mississippi.
Through a grant from AIDS United, Sanders and The Right Choice Project will continue the outreach at schools in St. John the Baptist, St. Charles and St. James parishes.
HIV and safe sex awareness will be discussed among a number of leadership topics, according to Sanders. She said the program will kick off at the beginning of the school year in an after school setting.
Other events will be planned at The Right Choice Project office, located at 506 E. Airline Highway Suite A.
Sanders hopes to connect students with tours of local industry and the River Parishes Community College campus.
“We did get a youth grant, and it’s for us to train the youth as leaders because our community does not have enough youth who want to lead,” Sanders said. “This is mainly to promote youth empowerment. We look forward to reaching out and influencing a lot of kids. We’re trying to give them something positive to look forward to.”
The Right Choice Project is also advocating for the youth with a booth at Sunday’s Stop the Violence Back to School Summer Jam.
Hosted by Tremond Alvis of LaPlace with the intent of building a village of support for the youth, the event will be held from 1 to 9 p.m. at REGALA Park in Reserve.
For more information about upcoming Youth Initiative opportunities, please call 985-224-2199 or email info@therightchoiceproject.org.
