Let me turn my mic on.

Good evening.

Welcome to all of you to a ceremonial session, also known as our spotlight session.

And uh I'm going to ask the clerk to call the role.

Councilman Bowman.

Vice Mayor Brown.

Here.

Councilwoman Campbell, present.

Councilwoman Fairby.

Here.

Councilwoman Harper.

Present.

Councilwoman Mugler.

President.

Mayor Gray.

Present.

Thank you.

And uh during this session, we we uh take just a few minutes out to uh put the spotlight on some special people, places, and and activities in our community.

And uh this evening we we're gonna do that with uh alternatives, which is uh one of the nonprofit organizations that does a lot of great work with uh young people in our community, and then they have a special program uh known as the World Changes, and uh which I think is managed by Miss Michelle Simpson, who's not here, but we do have our executive director, uh Miss Reagan Johnson here, and uh and so the uh young people are gonna run the program this evening, but I'm gonna ask Miss Johnson if she would just come forward and introduce the program and tell us a little bit about alternatives and what we can expect from our young people this afternoon.

I'm short because everybody can hopefully can see me.

For short people, like my plenty of thank you, Catherine.

Thank you, everyone, for this opportunity.

I'm gonna keep it short and sweet because I know you're here to hear from our young people.

Um alternatives was founded in 1973, so we are 50 years plus strong, and throughout our entire history have been a um strong partner with the city of Hampton from our substance use days to prevention days to just say no, some of you remember that in the 80s, um, to our youth leadership and civic engagement.

And over the years, we have changed our services to meet the needs of citizens here in the city of Hampton.

And we currently provide services for preschool all the way to high school and their families.

All of our programs are free for those in the community to participate.

Um, and we have a ton of initiatives.

The one is again, you're gonna hear from the world changers tonight, and they are one of many programs that the um agency offers.

This past fiscal year, we served over 3,000 children, youth, and families here in Hampton Roads, with the largest number that we serve being right here in the city of Hampton.

And we are extremely proud of that.

I will say myself, as a Hampton citizen and resident, having gone through Hampton City schools, and also my first connection with alternatives was a middle school student myself in programs that alternatives offered, and so being able to be here full circle and to continue the great work that we're doing here in the city, and we just thank each and every one of you for your the opportunity to be here tonight, but also for how you have supported alternatives, and many of you I know come out and support our community events, have served with us at the agency.

I see you sharing um your own experiences with our young people, and we just thank you all so much, each and every one of you, for your continued support of alternatives and the work that we're doing here in the city.

So I'm gonna kick it off to the stars of the show, and um they're gonna tell you a little bit more about themselves.

I probably don't need that because you're all right, good evening, everyone.

Um thank you for having us.

We're delighted to be here today.

We're here to tell you a bit about the Alternatives Incorporated World Changers, which is a youth leadership team located here in the city of Hampton.

My name is Carrie Swinder, I am a senior at VBS High School.

My name is Dominic Barringham, a senior at Bethel High School.

And the rest of the world changers here today are also gonna introduce themselves to you.

Good evening, everyone.

My name is David Hanner, and I am a junior at the evening everyone.

My name is David Bourne, and I'm a sophomore at Phoebus High School.

Good evening.

Sorry.

Good evening, everyone.

My name is Cameron Love, and I'm a senior at the Bethel High School.

Come on now.

My name is Sage Holden, and I'm a sophomore at Bethel High School.

Hi everyone, my name is Jace Crosby, and I'm a freshman at Kissana High School.

Good evening.

My name is Jaris Crosby, and I'm a senior at Kikatin High School.

Good evening.

Good evening.

My name is Unique Dixon, and I'm a fresh uh sophomore at Heritage High School.

Good evening, members of the council.

Thank you all again for hosting the alternative world changers here at City Council.

So, what is our mission?

Our mission here at the World Changers is that we advocate for change in our homes, our schools, but most importantly, our communities.