Habersham YMCA LIT Program Welcomes Mayor Van Johnson, Inspires Teens with Powerful Message of Purpose and Leadership

On Tuesday, July 16, the Habersham YMCA Leaders in Training (LIT) program welcomed Mayor Van Johnson to their Career Day Expo and embraced his words of encouragement. “You have a purpose,” said Johnson. “Every single one of you has this thing in you to do really great things. It’s in your DNA, you’re supposed to do great things.”

The YMCA Leaders in Training program fosters a culture of leadership, service and civic responsibility. It provides young teens (13-16) with training and mentorship aimed at connecting them to their potential and purpose.  

During Career Day Expo, the group presented their professional interests and future career goals which included being an accountant, electrician, an actor, executive producer and more. Adrienne Arkwright, the Habersham YMCA Youth Development Director, and Terry Hines were behind the mayor’s visit.  

“We want you around a board table” Mayor Van Johnson said. “Do you know what kind of stuff happens around board tables? Decisions are made around board tables. We want you to sit there, we want you to be comfortable there, and one day we want you to own this space.” 

For more information about Leaders in Training at the Habersham YMCA contact Adrienne Arkwright at [email protected]