Multiplying and Bearing Fruit

12The investment that UYWI makes in training high capacity leaders is producing a fruit-bearing, multiplying movement of well–equipped urban youth leaders who are reaching and discipling at-risk youth in their cities.

Tommy Nixon is a UYWI veteran leader and also the founder of Solidarity. Solidarity empowers believers to be dynamic followers of Christ whose lifestyle marked by love will impact communities towards holistic transformation.  Their strategy to get involved in communities includes: after-school programs, community development, immigration reform, mentoring, education and gang prevention/intervention.  Tommy shares how UYWI changed his life and ministry below:

“UYWI has been a major factor in shaping my leadership and the organization I run from hanging out with a couple of kids in a neighborhood to an organization that impact thousands of lives. From neighborhood youth programs to anti sex trafficking, social enterprising to immigration reform we have the opportunity to be a part of God’s transformation in our city, country and abroad. I don’t believe we would be there without the training, opportunities and encouragement provided by UYWI.

UYWI has journeyed with me since 2005 when I showed up to the national conference and found a place of belonging with people that were living the same life I was. I soon found myself in a learning community that not only kept me accountable with my time with the Lord but shaped my leadership through books and training. This continued with a national young nonprofit leader’s cohort that connected me with leaders from around the nation. UYWI then continued my training by giving me an opportunity to share what I have learned through being a RELOAD speaker, workshop and certification trainer.

The training, opportunities and networking that UYWI has provided for me has unleashed our capacity to love others well.  At the end of day the investment of time, money and resources spent on training and caring for me has been exponential in the effect it has had on the street with youth who desperately need Jesus. From the hoods of North Orange County to the streets of Sao Paulo youth lives are being transformed because UYWI decided to invest in those of us leading these types of movements in the urban centers.”

Tommy Nixon, Executive Director, Solidarity, Fullerton, CA

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