Youth development center introduces Amazing Yoopers
MARQUETTE — The Great Lakes Center for Youth Development is embarking on a campaign that will highlight those who are impacting at-risk youths or who overcame adversity themselves.
They’re called Amazing Yoopers and the GLCYD has announced who it will highlight first. Her name is Rena Yelle and she owns the Kolor 2 Dye 4 salon on US-41 in Marquette Township.
GLCYD Director Amy Quinn said, “She actually had many adversities growing up and really struggled as a teen, and at one point was even homeless. She was able to overcome those adversities and those barriers, and now she owns her own salon.”
Yelle also mentors vulnerable youths and helps them understand that adversity can be overcome.
Looking ahead Quinn hopes, among other things, to see at least one person profiled from each U.P. county.
“To see people understand what Amazing Yoopers is, the essence of the campaign, and to really grab hold and start making differences in each others’ lives, in adults and youth lives, and for youth to encourage each other, that they can be amazing,” Quinn said.
The GLCYD also made use of a photography class at Marquette Alternative High School to take promotional and advertising stills of Yelle.