Empowering Children and Fostering Success

Contributed by Veronica Martinez, Corporate Communications Specialist, Community Relations, at TD SYNNEX.

At TD SYNNEX, Children are one of the pillars of our Community Relations program because we believe in supporting organizations that focus on fostering potential and providing opportunities for young minds to be the next generation of doctors, teachers, and CEOs.

One of our amazing co-workers, Brittany Garnier, is passionate about the Youth Development Initiative (YDI), a local nonprofit in Clearwater, Florida (USA), dedicated to fostering and supporting the success of minority youth.

YDI is a youth development program that serves children between the ages of 10–18. Their mission is to promote health and wellness, build self-esteem, develop leadership skills, and master skills and competencies that foster success in school, the community, and ultimately in life. Students in the program can take advantage of an array of services, such as academic success counseling, tutoring and mentoring, and college readiness support. With the U.S. dropout rate for Black youth on a decline — in 2010, the dropout rate reached 10.3%, and it has dropped to 5.9% in 2021, according to the National Center for Education Statistics — YDI is helping young minds build a commitment to education.

Growing up, Brittany witnessed four of her seven siblings drop out of high school. It was disheartening to watch the people closest to her give up on their futures. At the time, Brittany felt powerless in her ability to influence their decisions when it came to their education. This early exposure to the challenges faced by youth in her community fueled her passion for making a difference, leading her to YDI, where she could actively contribute to solutions.

Now, Brittany spends her time volunteering with YDI, where she can make a true impact on the same community she grew up in. Brittany has been a strong advocate of YDI’s mission and has been heavily involved in helping students of the program succeed. As a committee member, Brittany spends her time mentoring a group of young girls, attending college tours, and supporting community service projects alongside the students. Brittany believes that the combined efforts of herself and YDI “make a great impact by teaching them (students) early on how to be successful” and building that commitment to education.

Thanks to Brittany’s dedication and advocacy, TD SYNNEX has also been a contributor to YDI’s mission. In 2022, Brittany submitted a Charitable Giving Request to TD SYNNEX, which funded college tours, scholarships, and educational STREAM (Science, Technology, Reading, Engineering, Arts, and Math) workshops. Additionally, TD SYNNEX selected YDI to be the recipient of the 2023 Rays Double Play Program, a community partnership between TD SYNNEX and the Tampa Bay Rays. Through the Double Play Program, TD SYNNEX will donate $250 for each Tampa Bay Rays home game opening defense double play during the season. This is estimated to be a $20,000 donation to YDI.

It takes a true changemaker like Brittany to create a ripple effect of positive impact. The combined dedication of Brittany, YDI, and TD SYNNEX has helped several children in the community build bridges to a brighter future. Inspired? You can make a difference, too. Consider volunteering at a local organization, contributing to a charity you’re passionate about, or even simply sharing this Feel Good Friday story to raise awareness… you never know what kind of impact you may have. To learn more about YDI, visit www.pinellasydi.org.