The Record (Troy, NY)

Local organizati­on honored by Rensselaer County Legislatur­e

- By Nicholas Buonanno nbuonanno@troyrecord.com @NickBuonan­no on Twitter

TROY, N.Y. » Members of Team Helping Everyone Recognize Opportunit­ies received another recognitio­n this past week, with members of the Rensselaer County Legislatur­e honoring the organizati­on.

Team H.E.R.O, was founded in 2013 with the mission of empowering communitie­s to improve quality of life for young people and families.

Jerry Ford, a founder and leader of Team H.E.R.O, said the group embraces positive youth developmen­t philosophy, an intention approach in which young people are provided with opportunit­ies to enhance their skills, interest, and abilities as they grow into adulthood. Ford said the organizati­ons has served over 200 youth since it was founded.

“Team H.E.R.O has impacted numerous local kids and their families by enhancing their quality of life through the city, and are giving our youth a brighter tomorrow,” said Legislator Kim Ashe-McPherson, C-Troy. “I am amazed by their work, and am proud dot support them and have them here in Troy.”

Diamond Owens, a 16-year-old participan­t of the program, and also the “Youth of the Year” spoke to the legislatur­e and said “I owe my life to Team H.E.R.O.”

In 2015 the organizati­on partnered with the Troy Boys and Girls club to develop and imple- ment programs to support youth making the transition from childhood to adulthood.

Ford said he is thankful that the organizati­ons continues to be recognized by city and county officials and others and is glad that the group helps to impact youth in the community.

Three years ago Team H.E.R.O also created a program for teens called the Block Center, which recently received a national award at the Boys and Girls Club national conference.

“It’s a great honor,” said Ford. “Team H.E.R.O is committed to our community and it feels really good to know that the county is committing to Team H.E.R.O.

“We created the Block Center three years ago and it has been nationally recognized and to me that’s a very big deal and I don’t think a lot of people understand that this program was recognized on a national level, up against many Metro areas throughout our country and Troy, N.Y. won.”

 ?? PHOTO PROVIDED ?? Diamond Owens, a 16-year-old participan­t of Team Helping Everyone Recognize Opportunit­ies, speaks after the organizati­on was honored recently by the Rensselaer County Legislatur­e.
PHOTO PROVIDED Diamond Owens, a 16-year-old participan­t of Team Helping Everyone Recognize Opportunit­ies, speaks after the organizati­on was honored recently by the Rensselaer County Legislatur­e.
 ?? PHOTO PROVIDED ?? Jerry Ford, a founder and leader of Team Helping Everyone Recognize Opportunit­ies, speaks after the organizati­on was honored by the Rensselaer County Legislatur­e.
PHOTO PROVIDED Jerry Ford, a founder and leader of Team Helping Everyone Recognize Opportunit­ies, speaks after the organizati­on was honored by the Rensselaer County Legislatur­e.

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