Initiative launched to celebrate, recognize Louisville youth overcoming challenges

As an expert in family law with more than 20 years of experience, Claudette Patton says she's seen youth facing several adversities, including drug use in their households, abuse, and neglect.“I am involved with some of the greatest kids that are in this community, but they're going through a very unique and difficult hardship. They have a lot to overcome sometimes,” said Patton.To provide hope, Claudette Patton and her husband Jim are working with the Louisville Metro Youth Cabinet to recognize and celebrate young people in every zip code in the metro. The focus is on those who have overcome challenges related to violence, physical or mental health challenges, unique life situations, and economic disparity.“There's so many things that are grabbing our youth to put them in a different path that may not be what's best for their future,” said Patton.Amplify 502 will recognize and honor Jefferson County youth ages 13-24 who overcome life setbacks and who, because of that, serve as positive - but too often forgotten - community role models.As part of the initiative, they're asking neighbors, teachers, coaches, mentors, friends, religious leaders, and advisors to nominate young people who are succeeding despite setbacks. Nominations from family members are discouraged.Gavin Myers with Louisville Metro Youth Cabinet says he knows all too well how the environment can impact a child's future.“A lot of times I was dealing with gunshots across the street from my home, bullets getting hit at the house and just always in panic mode sometimes,” said Myers.He hopes this initiative will inspire students to prevail.“When their friends are being shown recognition in the city, I feel like whenever they see them on the totem pole, they will see that as I can do this too because they came from where I came from,” said Myers.The youth will be publicly recognized at a community celebratory event; details will be announced later. The youth will also be recognized and supported by members of the KY House of Representatives, the U.S. Congress, and offered the chance to participate in community events and leadership training. Nominations are competitive and can be entered online at Louisvilleky.gov and at OSHN’s city website at: https://louisvilleky.gov/government/office-safe-healthy-neighborhoods. The nominating period ends on March 7, 2024.