Youth Forward Initiative Inc

09/15/2026

PRESS RELEASE VIA DG

Youth Forward Initiative Inc. Receives $4,000 Grant from the Dollar General Literacy Foundation to Support Youth Literacy

Hazlehurst, Georgia – September 15, 2026 – The Dollar General Literacy Foundation (DGLF) recently awarded Youth Forward Initiative Inc. a $4,000 grant to support its youth literacy program. This local grant is a part of more than $4.1 million recently awarded to non-profit organizations, libraries and schools in Dollar General’s hometown communities across the country to help extend a brighter future for K-12 students.

“We are incredibly grateful to the Dollar General Literacy Foundation for investing in the young people we serve,” said Atwaters, Executive Director of Youth Forward Initiative Inc. “This grant gives us an opportunity to strengthen literacy within our fun youth development programs and provide children with additional books, educational resources and fun, engaging learning opportunities outside of the traditional school day.” We continue to try to meet kids where there at.

Youth Forward Initiative Inc. provides youth development programming for children and teens in rural South Georgia, including afterschool and summer enrichment, academic support, mentoring, leadership development and other positive out-of-school opportunities. The $4,000 Dollar General Literacy Foundation grant will support literacy activities and educational resources for participating youth, helping Youth Forward incorporate reading, literacy development and academic enrichment into its community-based youth programming.

“When students have access to books, technology and educational resources, they gain tools that can support their learning for years to come,” said Denine Torr, executive director of the Dollar General Literacy Foundation. “Through our youth literacy grants, we are honored to help strengthen schools, libraries and nonprofit organizations literacy programs and resources. We are grateful to support the meaningful work they do to help young learners grow, thrive and pursue brighter academic futures in DG communities nationwide.”

The Dollar General Literacy Foundation supports organizations that increase access to educational programming, stimulate and enable innovation in the delivery of educational instruction and inspire a love of reading. Each year, DGLF awards funds to nonprofit organizations, schools, and libraries within a 15-mile radius of a Dollar General store

07/31/2026

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What an incredible summer!

Through our Happy Helpings Summer Feeding Program, we were able to distribute over 3,200 food bags to children and families across our communities.

A huge thank you to The Black Lotus Project for making this program possible. We are so thankful for your partnership and for helping us get nutritious food into the hands of families who needed it this summer.

We also want to give a big shoutout to Youth Forward Initiative Inc! Your dedication to picking up, delivering, and distributing food at all of our participating library branches made this program such a success. We truly appreciate your commitment, your hard work, and your willingness to serve our communities. We are so grateful for your partnership.

And finally, thank you to everyone who came out each week.
Dodge County Library M E Roden Memorial Library Telfair County Library Wheeler County Public Library

07/13/2026

SPONSORED BY The Black Lotus Project

Only 2 weeks left of our Summer Meals Program!

Join us this week for free meals, fresh fruit, and more for children and teens.

As a bonus, every participating family this week will be entered for a chance to win a $100 Walmart Back-to-School Gift Card.

We look forward to seeing you this week!

Today 4-5 PM! We’re giving out 500 more meals!

06/17/2026

Today, we want to give a special shout-out to Mr. Dave Oliver of the Baxley Aquatic Center.

Thank you for the kindness, generosity, and support you showed our youth today. It takes special people to go out of their way to create positive experiences for young people, and your willingness to welcome and pour into our campers did not go unnoticed.

Community partnerships like this make a real difference, and we are incredibly grateful for your support of our organization and the young people we serve. Thank you for helping make this summer one to remember.

We appreciate you, Mr. Oliver! Baxley  be sure to check out your pool this summer. Safe to say the kids had a blast.

06/15/2026

Come join us today, Monday, June 15th laugh @ 4 PM-5 PM. We will be giving our groceries! Remember every time you visit, you are entered to win our end of summer giveaway!!! 

Youth Forward Initiative, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Organization committed to providing equal opportunities regardless of race, color, religion, s*x, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic.

¡Acompáñenos hoy, lunes 15 de junio, de 4:00 PM a 5:00 PM para nuestra entrega de alimentos!

Recuerde que cada vez que nos visite este verano, recibirá una entrada para participar en nuestro gran sorteo de fin de verano.

¡Esperamos verlo pronto!

06/13/2026

🌊 Week 2 is officially in the books, and what a week it was!

Next week, we’re diving into Water Week at Camp Forward with water games, splash activities, and plenty of summer fun.

If your child isn’t registered yet, there’s still time to join us! Learn more and sign up today at:

🌐 yfinc.org/camp-yfi⁠

06/12/2026

Help us support these youth leaders and program!

🔥 South Georgia Flames Wrestling Raffle 🔥

We’re excited to announce our 10 Days of Giveaways Raffle! We have 10 amazing prizes generously donated by local businesses and supporters that will be awarded over a 10-day period following the close of ticket sales.

Our mission has always been to keep every aspect of the South Georgia Flames Wrestling Club FREE for our athletes and their families. This year, our wrestlers have the opportunity to travel to Atlanta to compete against other clubs and wrestlers from across the region. We truly believe this tournament will be an incredible learning experience for these kids, and we’re excited to help make it possible.

🎟️ Raffle Tickets
• $5 each
• 5 for $20

📅 Tickets will be on sale for 2 weeks!

Prizes Include:
One-Year Membership to The Bar
6 Month Membership to The Bar
$300 Tattoo Gift Certificate with Binky
$300 Tattoo Gift Certificate with Tommy
$100 Gift Certificate to Mulliganz
$100 Gift Certificate to Polka Dot Pig
1-Hour Dermaplane & Facial from Jane Salon & Spa
1 DJ Event from JD Sound
$50 Gift Certificate to Googe’s
Gift Card to Cuppa Coffee

Every dollar raised will go directly toward helping our wrestlers attend this tournament while continuing to provide opportunities at no cost to our athletes and their families.

We are incredibly thankful for the businesses and individuals who donated prizes and continue to support these kids. Your generosity helps create opportunities these young athletes will remember for a lifetime.

Thank you for supporting the South Georgia Flames Wrestling Club and helping us invest in the future of these hardworking kids!

Tickets can be purchased through our
cashapp: $southgaflames
Venmo:

06/10/2026

Some of our YF kids today! 💚

06/10/2026

Yesterday, our campers spent time exploring new books, strengthening their reading skills, and enjoying some computer time at the library. It was the perfect mix of learning, discovery, and fun. We’re grateful for community spaces that help our youth grow their minds, spark their imagination, and build a lifelong love of reading.



Jeff Davis County Library 💚

06/09/2026

First pool day in the books! ☀️🏊

One thing we learned today—our local pool is a gem! The staff was incredibly kind and welcoming to our campers.

Make sure you check it out with your family this summer. 💙