Peterson had this to say about their conversation: “I hold a strong personal belief that we, as progressive donors and members of progressive donor networks — must build strategic alliances and work together when, how, and wherever possible, as the more we succeed, the stronger our movements will be. Since that sunny day on Tracy’s porch two years ago, I can look back with pride at the work we’ve all been able to accomplish together.”

Since becoming a part of Gulf South Allied Funders, Threshold has contributed over $500,000 to the Hurricane Katrina Recovery Fund to help bring about a just and equitable recovery for the people of the region. In Peterson’s view, a key element of the success of this partnership has been 21CF’s donor tours to the region. These visits offer the chance for our allies to come together to see the work of those we support, and build true bonds of friendship within the collective.

“My life has also been greatly enriched by meeting the 'he-roes and she-roes' doing the 24/7 work on the ground,” said Peterson. “We’re building a big tent with stakes already firmly planted in the Gulf South, so that all passionate advocates for racial and economic justice, human rights, and functional democracy may align with 21CF’s keen vision for better days.”

without pretense, “I am a special person.” Isaac, like many young, Black males around the country, had some struggles in school and in the streets that put him into “The System.” He has learned through YEP and his mentor, Garvin Williams, that problems don’t define a man — it is how he responds to adversity that shows his true character. When speaking of YEP, he said, “They lifted me up a lot. They see something in me that I didn’t see before. They see a very confident person. I didn’t do none of this before — I’ve just started doing it with YEP, so I feel it’s a very good opportunity.” Participating in the Male Empowerment Group and in anger management classes has helped Isaac to be more self-assured and to try new things.

Isaac was among a group that YEP took to Memphis for the commemoration of the 40th anniversary of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. “It was my first civil rights march,” he said. “The speeches, taking pictures… it was a real beautiful thing to be out there because I’ve never really been to anything like that in my life. In that moment, I was really, really, excited to be there.” He also attended a Sports Leadership Camp, where he won a medal for mountain biking, which he had never done before. “You are never too old to keep learning. I soak in anything. Anything you put in front of me, I kind of catch on to it. You never judge a book by its cover.”

Isaac is going to take a big step this fall by choosing to attend the Youth Challenge, a “boot camp” type of program where he intends to earn his GED, obtain his driver’s license, and find a trade. “I see myself in the process of building my own house while I’m owning my own business.” When we asked him about what the future would be like in his hometown, he replied, “My vision is, as long as people can stop the violence, it will be a better New Orleans. If you see someone who needs help, at least try to help them.” As we were saying goodbye, we asked if there was anything else he wanted to share. Without prompting, he responded, “I’d like to thank the Twenty First Century Foundation for sponsoring YEP.” It doesn’t get any better than that.