Written by Millicent AlhamisWhat happens when young people are told, "You can’t," versus when they hear, "You can, and we will support you"? That single shift in messaging can change the course of someone’s life.We often talk about the importance of investing in the next generation, but what does that really mean? What does it look like in action? For some, it’s access to quality education. For others, it’s having a mentor who sees their potential before they even recognize it themselves. And for many, it’s simply the opportunity to be seen, heard, and supported.For the past three years, Deo Mwano Consultancy (DMC) has played a role of coming alongside Manchester students and supporting their pursuit of a post high school career through the Persevere to Excel Scholarship. What started as a small initiative to recognize a few hardworking students has grown into a movement, a commitment to ensuring that young people especially those who are often overlooked know that their perseverance matters.But let’s be clear: perseverance alone isn’t enough.We see it every year in the essays students submit. These are young people who have faced challenges, but are still able to keep pushing forward because they believe in something bigger for themselves. It is about preserving and excelling. It is being able to move forward by growing and developing, despite the struggles and obstacles you face. The Cost of Not Investing in YouthWhen young people aren’t given access to opportunities, the consequences don’t just impact them, they impact all of us. A student who doesn’t have the resources to attend college, trade school, or any further education doesn’t just miss out on an education; we, as a society, lose the potential contributions they could have made.There should be focus on the pursuit of greater impact by making the investment needed for them to gain some sort of skill sets that will propel them forward. These skillsets need to be holistic and not limited to just college. DMC makes the commitment to come alongside the students in recognizing them and giving them a little something to show them that the community is behind them and is in support of their success despite challenges they have experienced in the past or experiencing now.Imagine how many future teachers, entrepreneurs, engineers, and artists we never get to see rise simply because they did not believe they can achieve success or they were not given the opportunity to feel supported to pursue the challenging stuff. The barriers they face are not just personal failures, they are also structural realities that we have the power to change. Coming alongside is critical in an extra boost of external affirmation, the “You can do it!”. Some students are yearning for that in order to believe in the possibility of the future. The impact of investing in youth extends beyond the individuals who receive help. When we lift one student up, they turn around and lift others. They mentor younger students. They break generational cycles. They return to their communities, not just as professionals, but as role models who prove that success is possible.The Responsibility to ActThe challenge isn’t that young people lack ambition, it's that too many lack resources and people cheering and championing them to do the hard work that will amount to successful achievement. That is why our scholarship isn’t about grades or financial need alone, it's about perseverance, in all its unique and deeply personal forms. We have never chosen winners based on a single definition of success. We look for students who show us what perseverance means to them, because we know that determination takes many shapes.In addition, we host an award event to celebrate the winners of the scholarship. We invite our alumni who have been recipients of the scholarship to come back and tell their stories of what the scholarship meant to them, as well as how they are utilizing their strengths and positive mindsets to move forward and continue to persevere forward. Their testimonies are powerful for the other students, family members and community leaders who attend the scholarship to hear about their continued journey.But supporting youth doesn’t start or stop with scholarships. It starts in everyday moments in the conversations we have, the doors we open, and the encouragement we offer. When we listen to young people, when we show up for them, when we create spaces where they can grow, we shift what is possible. We create access. We remove barriers. We show them that their dreams are not only valid, but achievable.Too often, we assume that investing in youth is the job of schools, nonprofits, or government programs. But if we truly believe in community transformation, we have to recognize that it’s our job, too. Every one of us has the power to create an opportunity, whether by mentoring a student, sharing career advice, or simply acknowledging their potential.The true measure of a community’s success isn’t just found in its businesses, policies, or economy, it’s found in the opportunities it creates for its young people. The future isn’t built by chance. It’s built by those willing to reach back and lift the next generation forward.If we want a stronger community, a more equitable society, and a future where young people can truly thrive, we need to do more than just talk about supporting them. We need to act. We need to invest. We need to show up.The question isn’t whether young people are ready for the future. The real question is are we ready to support them?
The DMC Community Transformation Team brings over 25 years of combined experience, collaborating with nonprofits, cities and towns, grant makers, and other nonprofits to make a positive impact. DMC has successfully created programs and campaigns that bridge diverse communities, addressing root causes of problems and facilitating sustainable solutions.
