The non-profit organization You Matter 2 will hold “A Decade of Impact Celebration” on May 29 at Glenwoodie Golf Club in Glenwood from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. to mark its 10 years of service to empowering youth in the community.
Attendees can look forward to live entertainment with a catered meal and open bar (21+), as well as a silent auction, plus more. Cocktail hour will be held from 6 to 6:45 p.m., followed by program and awards from 7 to 9 p.m.
Destiny Watson, founder and CEO of You Matter 2, said that various giveaways and travel experiences, including Disney World and overseas destinations, will be offered in the auction.
“There’s a three-month pie giveaway from a Piece of the Pie, which I know a lot of people in the community really love. We also have Chicago White Sox tickets for a lower box,” she said.
The event also will serve as a fundraiser with a goal of $30,000. This will help increase staffing and expand programs, while also aiding the goal for a future Teen Community Center in the South Suburbs, Watson said.
Watson’s organization works with South Suburban youth, 6th through 12th grade students. You Matter 2 has served over 1,200 kids, she said.
“We’re really helping to close opportunity gaps, helping them to become confident leaders and engaged citizens,” Watson said.
This is accomplished through the many programs that You Matter 2 offers.
“Over the past decade, we’ve experienced a lot of growth and expansion,” Watson said, adding, “when we first started it was just like an after school service club that I started with my friends, and then some years later we transitioned into getting our non-profit status and growing the students we serve.”
Going forward, Watson’s organization wants to continue to expand and reach more youth, she said.
“We’re always looking for ways to expand our program into other schools that we can come in and serve, or at least spread the word of what we’re doing so that they can come to us as well,” Watson said.
Watson also wants to continue to build You Matter 2 based on the needs of youth.
“We’re always willing to listen to the needs of the youth and what they’re looking for so that way we can do our best to fill that gap,” Watson said.
The Lawrence Watson Memorial Scholarship will be awarded to a few graduating seniors at the celebration event, she said.
Tickets for the event are currently on sale for $100 per person, and will be available to purchase until May 15.
To purchase tickets, visit youmatter2.org/events