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.
The Life-Changing Programs
We offer life-changing programs for youth! Keys 2 Life is a mentoring program designed to encourage, educate and empower youth through key principles in the arts. #TheYunion #youth #lovingyouth #youthassistance
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Parents, Did you know? Recent CDC findings suggest that youth connectedness also has lasting effects. Youth who feel connected at school and at home were found to be as much as 66% less likely to experience health risk behaviors related to sexual health, substance use,…
Read MorePhase 2 of our building Renovations
The Yunion is excited to announce we are moving into Phase 2 of our building renovations. In Phase 2 we will be renovating the 2nd floor which will be utilized as program space for the youth and families we serve. We want to thank The…
Read MoreThe Keys 2 Life Performing Arts Summer Camp today
Hey we’re just checking in to let you know spots are filling fast! Register your child for The Keys 2 Life Performing Arts Summer Camp today. You won’t regret it— Just ask our Keys 2 Life Alumni Keys2lifesummercamp.
Read MoreSupporting Black-Led Nonprofits
Join our Executive Director Nicole Wilson on Wednesday, June 23 as she speaks with Allandra Bulger of Co.act Detroit, Shawn H. Wilson of Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeastern Michigan, and Terry Whitfield of The Skillman Foundation about supporting Black-led nonprofits. Learn more and register…
Read MoreParents! This is For You
Parents! Have you registered your child for the Yunion’s Keys 2 Life Performing Arts Summer yet? If so, great job mom and or dad your child will love and appreciate you for it. If not, what are you waiting for? Slots are filling up fast,…
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The Yunion in partnership with TBOP productions has produced another film to assist our young people in their journey through adolescence. This film focuses on the effects of bullying and will be used as a bullying prevention tool. This past weekend we finished filming and…
Read MoreParents did you know?
Parents, did you know? Roughly 1-in-4 girls will be pregnant at least once before age 20. The U.S. teen birth rate is at an all-time low. As of 2016, the teen birth rate (20.3 births per 1,000 girls ages 15-to-19) declined 67 percent since its…
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Read MoreThe Performing Arts Summer Camp
Parents meet our Keys 2 Life Performing Arts Summer Camp Director Mr. Darell Red Campbell Jr. (Known to kids as Mr. Red). ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Red is a platinum, stellar-award winning producer, musician, and teacher with a heart for empowering people to find hidden talent and potential…
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Parents meet Selah. Selah was a first-time Keys 2 Life Performing Arts camper last year. This is what she had to say about her experience. “Even though it was virtual it was still fun. My favorite class was SWAG (Students With Awareness & Goals) because…
Read MoreFriday Yunion Parent Check-in
Friday Yunion Parent Check-in Camp registration is open! www.keys2lifesummercamp.com
Read MorePick-Me-Up
Parents see what one of our Keys 2 Life Sponsors (Max & Marjorie Fisher Foundation) had to say about our last year’s summer camp. At The Yunion’s “Keys 2 Life” summer camp program, Detroit youth spent their long, warm days engaged in performing arts activities…
Read MoreParent’s This is For You
Parents it’s no secret that sleep plays an important role in good physical and mental health. Sleep deprivation can leave you feeling irritable and exhausted in the short-term, but it can also have serious long-term health consequences as well. Lack of sleep is linked to…
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