Just Say Yes!
Dallasites say yes to investing in youth at annual celebration
What: Just Say YES Celebration
Where: Belo Mansion Pavilion
The 411: More than 300 guests showed up to support this year's seventh annual "Building Bridges"-themed Just Say YES celebration, which aims to equip students with the tools needed to develop stronger connections with their families, their community, and one another. While the raffle and silent auction certainly created an exciting buss in the room, it was the Just Say YES student/parent interview that was the highlight of the evening. Just Say YES senior mentor coordinator Veronica Lee interviewed a student mentor and her mother about the positive effects of the program both in the classroom and beyond.
Post-interview, keynote speaker retired Dallas Police Chief David Brown took the stage and delivered a moving speech on the importance of investing in the youth of today in order to ensure a better tomorrow.
Just Say YES — Youth Equipped to Succeed is an educational nonprofit that empowers students to say yes to their dreams and goals and no to risk behaviors such as drugs, alcohol, sexual activity, and bullying. For 15 years, Just Say YES has provided respected speakers, peer-to-peer mentoring, and other resources to students, educators, and parents in 39 states across the nation.
Who: Dan Bailey, Barbie and Dick Blaylock, Dr. Reed Williams, Juleeta and Dave Harvey, Ann and David Carruth, Jane Beeson, Josh Huffman, Kellye Price, Anne Ray,and Paula McCutcheon