Powerful!

Powerful!

Please take a moment to read Chris Ramirez caption to this picture… POWERFUL!
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It’s quite ironic that as I was reading this, I tried to hide my tears at coffee shops, the break rooms at work, and in my car in between shifts. This one broke me. It reminded me of many details in my life that determined the course of my personality: my actions, choices, and REactions.
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Mr. Jason Wilson, thank you for heeding to the Lord’s call in your life. Despite all of the internal warfare, God gave you the same transformative power as those in the New Testament that heard “rise up and walk” to overcome circumstances and to simply, forgive. To love. To be intentional. To learn and love Truth. In today’s age, my generation of young men (as well as yours), sees this as a form of weakness as you so intricately unravel through your story.
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I can’t tell you how many times I heard the phrases “oh stop being a b*!%#” or “you’re such a p***” for simply saying no, refusing to engage in an act that would result in someone else getting hurt, or showing more emotion than socially acceptable.
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To my young men: I say this with the purest intentions; give up the façade. It’s hurting you, the ones closest to you, & causing you to harbor things the human heart was never meant to hold.
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To my older folk who led us astray: we forgive you. And I say this with the biggest lump in my throat; we still love you. But what you taught us almost destroyed us. I say that not to cause shame, but from a regenerated heart pleading with you to come to terms with your unresolved traumas because what you do or say, MATTERS. It’s life-changing.
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To my women: if any man around you is being too “emotional”, just know that for what ever the reason, the man was driven to an unbelievable low.. please don’t take advantage of him in that state. You play an incredibly significant role. He (we) need you more than ever in those times. Please continue welcoming us with gracious & merciful arms.
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To all of my men who cry like men (I’ve tagged a few): thank you for exuding Christ-like humility in the face of adversity. Although stumbling.

Youth Empowerment – Learning and Innovation

March 29, 2023

Let’s give it up for our youth participants who had a blast during our Talent Tour event with Detroit Hives at the MSU-Detroit Partnership for Learning and Innovation (DPFLI) center! 🎉 We’re so proud of the 18 engaged youth from our Career Readiness program who…

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Women’s History Month – Inspiring Women

March 28, 2023

Happy Women’s History Month! 🎉 Today, we want to give a shoutout to Dionna Jackson, a woman who has been making a difference in the community since 2012. Dionna started with the Yunion as a Life Guide and now serves as The Yunion’s Executive Assistant.…

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Friday Yunion Parent Check-in

March 24, 2023

Friday Yunion Parent Check-in

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Wellness Wednesday – Mental Health Awareness

March 23, 2023

Mental Health Awareness – Youth Mental Health: Myths, Misunderstandings, Missed Opportunities

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Social Media Awareness

March 23, 2023

Thank you @maxstossel for the phenomenal work you do around Social Media awareness. We had a great day of encouragement and learning about social media! Students, staff, and parents all had the opportunity to participate. Max shared comprehensive research about social media and its effects…

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Friday Yunion Parent Check-In

March 17, 2023

Friday Yunion Parent Check-In

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Healthy Parenting – Boundaries

March 17, 2023

Parents 👋, Did you hear 👂 Mr. Ron is out here using the “B” word🤬 Yes, he is out here encouraging parents to establish…. BOUNDARIES! We know setting boundaries may seem like a daunting task, but trust us, it’s worth it! By establishing clear limits…

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Wellness Wednesday – Trauma Informed Parenting

March 16, 2023

Trauma Informed Parenting

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Women’s History Month

March 15, 2023

Parents, it’s Women’s History Month! Have you heard of Wangari Maathai? She is the first African Woman tie win the Noble Peace Prize. Wangari Maathai was a Kenyan social, environmental and a political activist and the first African woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize.…

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Friday Yunion Parent Check-In

March 10, 2023

Friday Yunion Parent Check-In

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Parents Are Heroes

March 9, 2023

Parents 👋, we have partnered with Detroit Public Schools Community District and their Parent Engagement Conference. Join us March 28th from 8am-3pm at The Renaissance Center at the Detroit Marriot where our CEO Jason Wilson] will be one of the presenters. The goal of the…

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Wellness Wednesday – Parental Advisory and Intentional Parenting

March 9, 2023

Parental Advisory – Intentional Parenting

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Talk To ‘Em Tuesday – Talking Prompts for Parents to Engage Their Adolescent

March 8, 2023

Parents 👋, it’s “Talk to ‘Em Tuesday” 🗣️ Today’s talking prompt: “What is your favorite thing about yourself, and what is one thing about yourself that you want to work on?” This prompt can encourage your teenager to reflect on their strengths and weaknesses, and…

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Parenting Teens And Tweens – Allowing Abnormal Aggression To Escalate Can Be Harmful

March 7, 2023

Parents, did you know “Verbal aggression is common among adolescents, especially boys, due to hormonal changes and a desire for independence. However, if this behavior becomes abusive or turns into physical violence, it’s important to seek help. Allowing abnormal aggression to escalate can be harmful.…

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Students With Awareness & Goals – Stay Positive

March 1, 2023

Parents, hear what our students have to say about what they learned in their SWAG life skills sessions. “I learned so much from ‘swag’ today! Don’t give negativity to those who give you negativity” – stay positive! #swag #positivity #lifelessons #nofighting #staypositive #spreadlove

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Parenting Teenage Girls Is Not For The Faint Of Heart

February 28, 2023

Words from our Executive Director @mrsnicolewilson “Being a mom to a teenage girl is not for the faint at heart. Our girls begin forming into young women and can often become a mirror for ourselves- who we were, who we are and the in between…

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