Six youths were honored this week for completing life skills training and goal-setting exercises through the City of Danville’s Project Imagine program—an initiative designed to steer young people away from gang involvement and community violence.

This latest group marks the 34th class to complete the orientation process, bringing the total number of successful participants to 202 since Project Imagine launched in 2018. The milestone reflects the city’s ongoing commitment to providing youth with meaningful alternatives and a positive path forward.

The youths were Tyliek Betts, Jaylen Brown, Destiny Cobbs, Jay’Den Fitz, Cha’honesty Hodge and Taiwan Waddell.

Project Imagine equips participants with essential tools for personal growth, including mentorship, goal-setting, and strength-based assessments using Casey Life Skills and Clifton Strengths tools. These resources help young people chart a course toward constructive goals such as avoiding law enforcement contact, improving academic performance, graduating from school, and entering the workforce.

A key feature of the program is the assignment of a dedicated outreach worker to each participant. These mentors remain engaged for at least one year, providing guidance and support that extends beyond the classroom and into real-life challenges and opportunities.

During the ceremony, Deputy City Manager Earl Reynolds offered heartfelt advice to the group, comparing life decisions to road detours.

“Have you ever been traveling and seen signs about detours? That means the road that you are traveling on is blocked, and you are being directed to another way to get to where you want to go,” Reynolds said. “Think about life. I don’t care who you are, how much education you have—life is full of detours. The question is, how are you going to handle that?”

Reynolds encouraged the graduates to listen to those who have experienced these detours and come through them stronger.

“You’ve made a good decision about getting hooked up with these guys (Project Imagine mentors). They’ve been there, and done that. They can tell you how it is when you ignore the detour sign, get turned over, get right-sided and get back down the road,” he said. “It teaches you what not to do the next time. Those signs are important. They are valid. They are helpful. So pay attention to them.”

Reflecting on his own path, Reynolds shared how guidance from mentors helped him get back on track.

“Before I got to Fayetteville State, I almost didn’t make it there. But there were some good people who talked to me and got me back on the right road. It wasn’t easy,” he said. “You recover by having good people giving you good advice—and more importantly, by listening. You can have all the good advice in the world, but it is not going to help you if you don’t listen.”

He concluded with a message of unity and encouragement:

“We are all called to help one another, encourage one another, and love one another. When we do these things, we all benefit. We all live in this world together. Stick together. Pay attention to the signs. Have a wonderful life. There is a lot out there for you to enjoy and take advantage of.”

Project Imagine has become a cornerstone of Danville’s youth violence prevention efforts, drawing attention and praise across the Virginia and nationally for its effectiveness in transforming lives and strengthening communities.

For more information about Project Imagine, contact its office at (434) 857-3354 or visit its website.