Our History: 

Powerful Young Adults Inc., (PYA) is a community based 501( c ) 3 organization in Clearwater, Florida.  PYA was founded in August of 2005 by Ozell George Jr., President and CEO, after seeing the struggles of his three daughters in the Pinellas County School System and in the North Greenwood Community.  Mr. George was well aware of the lack of tutoring assistance with FCAT, GED preparation, employment skills training, employment placement, outside activities, cultural events and opportunities, due to the fact that he also grew up within the North Greenwood Area.   He realized that the services within the North Greenwood Community were limited and in some cases non existent.  With this in mind, he saw a need in the community that extended far beyond his family.  Mr. George has not only dedicated his time, but 80% of this programs budget has been at his expense. The program is based in the North Greenwood Community, located in Clearwater Florida. 

Demographic data indicates that this community is more economically challenged that the rest of the City of Clearwater. The risk relations between poverty and risk for children are well documented.  Children from these communities have fewer opportunities and resources to participate in activities that promote their physical mental, emotional and career development.  There is interesting evidence that girls are exposed to these risk as much as boys.  For that reason, PYA has chosen to make at risk girls its target.

Our Partners:

With continued help from our corporate and community partners, Powerful Young Adults will continue to be a vital source to the North Greenwood Community.  We would like to thank Ace Financial, Ace Communication, Acqunique, Amtrust, Attorney Jennifer Burns, F.N. Beyers, Black Art Plus, Carrabas, C.I.T.E Florida, Eva's Beauty Box, Executive Morgage, The Haven, Jobing.com, N.A.A.C.P., Nu Place Lending, Leroy Selmon Restaurant, Pinellas County Sheriff Office, Pinellas County Office of Human Rights, Publix, Red Lobster, Saint Petersburg College, Hillsborough Community College, Senator Bill Nelson's Office, State Farm Agent-Darry Bouie, Kash & Karry, West Coast Statuary Inc., Dr. Gene Whitehead,Work-Net Pinellas,Yes Shoe Palace,The Kimberly Home and the City of Clearwater for assisting with our program.        

We are covering the basis of education and opportunity:     

Our students have had the opportunity to travel to cultural events, social outings and educational experiences.  One of our cultural events included a visit to the Zora Neal Hurston Festival in Orlando, Fl.  They have also participated in the Martin Luther King March and the Clearwater Christmas Parades in Clearwater.  A few of our educational and cultural experiences included visiting: the University of Central Florida, St. Petersburg College, St. Petersburg Museum of Fine Arts, The Salvador Dali Museum and the Black Art Plus Store located in St. Petersburg, Florida.

PYA Members were given job training and resume writing through partnership with Work-Net Pinellas.  Students were signed up and trained how to utilize their computer data base for job searches.  They were also taught job skills and resume writing. Some of our students have utilized Work-Net for employment placement. During the year, students are placed in job settings for on the job training in various private and government offices. 

Powerful Young Adults has demonstrated their commitment to serving the community:

1. By hosting annual Teen Job Fairs for the youth in the community.

2. By hosting Teen Summits where youth from the community is invited to join us on various topics.

3. By providing,community service, to the North Greenwood Area by adopting Cherry Harris Park, located at 1141 Marshall Street, Clearwater. 

  
4. By making history,in May of 2006, and publishing the first student newsletter publication, in the North Greenwood Community entitled, “Royalty News.”  This vocational and educational experience is a real outlet of expression for the children and the community, which is published and distrubuted quarterly throughout the Tampa Bay Area.