Click on a photo to read the Turn It Around member’s bio
Current Members
Danisha
My name is Danisha and I joined Turn It Around in April of 2021 at the age of 15. The reason I joined was to meet new people and to improve my community because I love the people that live here. I like that the group does a lot of fun activities together and I am challenged to learn new things. One day I hope to become a detective and solve crimes and hopefully even help prevent them!
Giacomo
My name is Giacomo and I joined Turn It Around in 2021. I attend Phoenix Tech and I'm 16 years old. Some of my hobbies include gaming, sports, and snowboarding. I joined Turn It Around because I needed a job. I didn't realize I'd be getting that and an extended family. I'm excited to start earning an income and make connections in my community. I love Charlestown because my neighbors take care of each other. I would say that my determination and ability to adapt will help me become a great community leader and I'm happy to do it with Turn It Around by my side.
Ibrahim
My name is Ibrahim Balde and I lived in Charlestown for most of my life. I joined Turn It Around through a friend. He told me I could earn money and that it was fun. I joined Turn It Around
because I liked the things I heard about it, and I liked the logo. One thing I want to do for Charlestown is to make more activities for the community. I want everyone to feel welcomed
and involved in their neighborhood and through groups like TIA, I can help make that happen. Turn It Around has allowed me to earn money and teach others, it’s the best of both worlds!
Hope
My name is Hope Augusta, I am 15 years old and go to Boston Arts Academy for school. I’ve been a member of Turn It Around since November 2020. My hobbies are acting, dancing, and modeling. The reasons I joined TIA are that I wanted to work more with group settings and also provide more for my community. I love my community because it is diverse and so supportive. I hope one day to be an actress or model who inspires others. I’ve been into performing arts my whole life and would love to be able to share my talent with others.
Elizabeth
My name is Elizabeth a.k.a. Lizzy, and I am 13 years old. I became an Official Member of Turn It Around in 2020 after the COVID-19 Pandemic. I got involved with the group through my older brother who is a current member. During COVID, I was invited to participate in the group workout sessions and eventually the weekly meetings where I proved myself to be mature enough to become a member even though I am the youngest in the group. I decided to join the group because I like to meet new people and give back to my community. I love participating in the TIA meetings and events because I'm encouraged to voice my thoughts and share my ideas. This is an awesome group because we truly care for one another and lift each other up. Some of my hobbies include singing, acting and painting. I've been in multiple plays including Oliver, Annie and Aladdin. I hope to gain more talents and skills in this group!
Aboubakar
My name is Aboubakar and I joined Turn It Around in 2020! I joined as an act of community service and to help improve my town and the surrounding Boston neighborhoods. I love being involved in the Turn It Around youth program because I get to make positive change, meet people, make new friends and have fun all while earning an income! It doesn’t get much better than that!
Elsie
My name is Elsie Martinez and I joined Turn It Around in 2019. I’ve lived in Charlestown all my life and I have matured quickly because of it. Being a TIA member makes me feel as though I can make a real difference in my community and the people struggling in it.
Brandon
My name is Brandon and I joined Turn It Around in 2019. I decided to join because I wanted to be part of a program that would help me with school. Another reason I joined is because I like going places with different people and learning new things. I love my community because it is nice and quite so it feels good to give back. One day I'd like to work at Starbucks.
Ariana
My name is Ariana and I am a student at Charlestown High School. I joined Turn It Around in 2020 because I knew it was an amazing youth program and that it will help me in life. I love the fact that we get paid to help our community. There are so many awesome people who live in my neighborhood, I’m grateful I can give back to them. Something interesting about me is that I love comics and superhero’s and play sports including volleyball.
Serennity
My name is Serennity and I joined Turn It Around in 2019 because I want to discover myself as an individual and grow in my learning abilities to interact with others and make a difference in my community while gaining life experiences for future references. I enjoy participating in Turn It Around events because they give me the opportunity to try and do new things with different people. My community means a lot to me. I believe my community aspires to grow and learn from one another to create a better path for our future generations. Although I am a very shy person, I’m also very strong as well. I’m very dedicated when it comes to achieving goals and I’m very creative, I like to think outside the box and I believe those in Turn It Around like to too!
Feisal
My name is Feisal and I’m 15 years old and I attend school in Charlestown. I’ve been a member of Turn It Around since 2019. Some of my hobbies are playing soccer and participating on the debate team at school. The reason I joined Turn It Around is because a friend told me about it and I really want to give back to my community, which the group is known for doing. I love working the Turn It Around events because it’s a lot of fun getting to know new people. My community is very special and has raised me to be the person that I am and that’s why I want to be a part of a group that takes care of it. When I am older, I want to study to become a doctor, so I can help more people in life. Something unique about me is that I am bilingual.
Oumar
My name is Oumar Balde. Both my brother and I are in Turn It Around. I joined Turn It Around because I heard it was a good program to be a part of. I have fun at the Turn It Around events. We get to help people and let people know about all the great things we do for the community. I know being in this group will benefit me in the future. I
hope I can be an example to my peers of what a great leader is and I know Turn It Around will give me the skills to do so. Being in Turn It Around challenges me in many ways, one being that I must talk to
people I don’t know, which is not always easy. But, I know that I have a lot of support in the group and it makes me feel more confident.
Natania
I’m Natania and I’m 15 years old. I joined Turn It Around after doing a summer program with them in 2019. One of the main reasons I joined was to give back and help my community. My community is filled with a lot of great people and I’m grateful this youth group allows me to be more involved, especially with community events. One day I’d like to be a physiatrist and something unique about me is that my moods vary, meaning one day I can be quite and the next, very communicative.
Ana
My name is Ana and I decided to join Turn It Around in 2020 to make more friends. The TIA staff are super nice and make everyone feel welcome. I love working the TIA community events because it is fun meeting new people in our neighborhood. Some of my hobbies include playing sports and video games. I also play basketball and football.
Josviel
My name is Josviel and I’m 14 years old. I joined Turn It Around in 2019 because I want to have something fun to do after school. I love being a part of the group because I get to help people. My community is very important to me and I like taking care of my neighbors. Turn It Around allows me to meet new people and help those in need. When I’m older I’d like to be a “YouTuber” or a Police officer.
Sean
My name is Sean Sullivan and I joined Turn It Around in 2019 when I was 14 years old. I decided to join because my friends told me how great the program was, and they were right. I've made a lot of new friends through my involvement in this group and have been able to take care of my community. Some of my hobbies include sports and video games. One day I hope to be a professional athlete.
Aida
My name is Aida and I joined Turn It Around because I like to try new things. I love how diverse the Charlestown community is. Some of my hobbies including singing and dancing.
Carieliz
My name is Cari and I joined Turn It Around to help my community and to be part of something big. I love that in Charlestown, it's easy to talk to anyone.
Darin
I'm Darin. I joined Turn It Around to help my community while earning money. I love how close everything is in Charlestown.
Destany
I'm Destany, and I joined Turn It Around to set myself up for a good future while helping my community. One of the things I love about Charlestown and it's residents are how much they support one another.
Hidalee
My name is Hidalee, and I joined Turn It Around because it seemed like a fun way to make friends while helping others. I love the Charlestown community because everyone is so nice and welcoming.
Jancarlos
I joined Turn It Around because I love my community and wanted to get out and help. What I love about Charlestown is the people here.
Jerry
I joined Turn It Around because I heard great things about this group. I really like to meet new people, learn new things, and make friends while helping others.
Karolina
I joined Turn It Around when my friend Cari brought me, because of how inclusive the group is.
Luciano
My name's Luciano - I joined Turn It Around to make money and be part of a group that gives back to the community. I love how nice and welcoming people are in the Charlestown community.
Manal
Micah
I first joined Turn It Around because my friends were part of it. It is fun to plan events with Turn It Around and interact with the people in the community.
Reynald
I joined Turn It Around with some of my friends to be part of a fun group that loves their community.
Rosilda
I joined Turn It Around to meet friends and learn more about the community.
Sue
I joined Turn It Around to learn more about Charlestown and the kids in the group. I want to learn more about my community.
Stacy
I joined to become more independent and make new friends while helping my community. One thing I love about Charlestown is that the people are kind & friendly here.
Zay
I joined Turn It Around to help those in need, and to give back to my community.
Woody
I joined Turn It Around to try new things, learn more about my community and meet different groups of people.
Jerimaih
I joined Turn It Around because it is a great program and someone recommended it to me. I love to learn more about my community.
Kevon
My name is Kevon and I’m 18 years old. I joined Turn It Around in 2021 because I want to be a leader in my community. I love to help people especially my neighbors and Turn It Around gives me the opportunity to do so. A couple of interesting facts about me is that I enjoy rap, working out and I’m good at debate. I also aspire to be a professional NFL player because I love to play football.
Cristian
My name is Cristian Ruiz and I joined Turn It Around in 2018 because I wanted to make my
community a better place to be. Living and growing up in Charlestown has taught me a lot of important life lessons and I feel like I should help teach others which Turn It Around allows me to do.
I enjoy Turn It Around because my friends are in the group and it gives me something to look forward to during the week. There are a lot of fun activities and events I can be a part of too. Turn It Around is something I am grateful to have in my life.
Alexis
Alexis is 14 years old and goes to East Boston High. He joined to spend time with friends and to do more things in his community.
Christian
Christian is 14 and joined TURN IT AROUND for the fun events and to spend more time with the friendly people in the community.
Aidan
Aidan joined TURN IT AROUND to have fun and be in a program with friends. He wants to help the Charlestown community and try new things.
Ivy
Ivy joined TURN IT AROUND in fall of 2022. She hopes to help out her community and joined because TIA was a good opportunity for her.
Cristhy
Christy joined TIA in fall of 2022, and joined because she enjoys being invested in her community. She wants to work hard and achieve things on her own with the support of the TIA program!
Dawit
Dawit joined TIA because he is interested in helping other people. He loves the kindness of his community and hopes one day to be an inspiration to others!
Hasan
Hasan is a fall 2022 TIA addition who loves to show up, help and have fun. He joined TIA because he loves the people in his community and wants to help.
Leah
Leah joined TIA in fall 2022 to try new things, learn and to help out others!
Jeffrey
Jeffrey joined through another TIA member, thought TIA sounded interesting and he loves to meet new people!
Alumni
Abner
My name is Abner Rosario and I go to Charlestown High school. I’ve been a member of Turn It Around since 2016. My hobbies are playing basketball and video games. The reason I joined Turn It Around is because a friend of mine told me that it was a lot of fun and that it was an opportunity to have an income.
It’s enjoyable participating in the Turn It Around events because we do different activities in my neighborhood. I love my community because I feel safe and have a lot of friends here. I hope one day to become a professional basketball player so I can use the talents I have and provide for my family. Something interesting about me is that I am very funny and enjoy making people laugh.
Alex
My name is Alex and I joined Turn It Around in 2019. I decided to join Turn It Around because I knew it would help both me and my community. Another reason I joined Turn It Around is because aside from endless opportunities, it has given me something fun to look forward to every week on the same day. I like my community because it’s small yet big, you know many peoplem but still see strangers everywhere. Although it is very quiet and boring at times, many exciting things do happen that the outsiders don’t see.
Alexandra
My name is Alexandra Rivera and I am a student at Snowden International High School. I joined Turn It Around in 2017. The reason I decided to join Turn It Around is because it’s an amazing group that works to educate people and create a better community for Charlestown. I love participating at the Turn It Around events because It feels good to do the right thing and help others. I love my community because
the people are great and I want to be there to help them and give back. One day I hope to be a politician so I can continue making improvements to our community, city and world. The youth of Charlestown are helping to make a difference and I’m grateful to say I am the change I want to see in the world because of Turn It Around.
Alphy
Andrew
My name is Andrew Miller and I currently attend Charlestown High School. In the future, I plan to be an engineer and improve my community in different ways. I am in Turn It Around because it’s a community-
based group where I take part in activities that help the community and they pay us for our involvement. Not only am I making a difference in my neighborhood, but I am also earning an income for my hard work
and dedication. Even though it’s not much, it allows me to have money when I need it. Turn It Around has helped me in many ways. The staff have encouraged me to do better in school, to make healthier
choices, and to prepare myself for adulthood. I’ve learned how to cook, how to be patient with my peers, and overall my perspective on life has changed for the better.
Anthony
My name is Anthony and I am an official member of Turn It Around. I was told by one of my cousins, who is a member, about the program. About a week later of hearing about the group I was told to come to “Turn It Around” and though I was nervous I made a great first impression and committed to joining the group. I want Charlestown to improve. This would include better schools and education. By that I mean, better tools and supplies and more things that would improve Charlestown’s Schools like available mentors and tutors. My goal is to help in making Charlestown better than before. I joined Turn It Around to make my goal happen and it seems that this group thinks the same. I am happy to be part of a great big group called Turn It Around!
Ariana
My name is Ariana Kelley and I live and attend school in Charlestown. I joined Turn It Around in 2018 and have already enjoyed some of the great opportunities this group offers, including going on a 6 Flags trip as a token of the staff’s appreciation for all the community events we host and for being leaders in our community. I joined because I wanted more community involvement and this is a great way to socialize and make new friends. Some of my hobbies are listening to music and hanging out with friends. Something interesting about me is that I become really energetic around people once I get comfortable with them.
Bernie
My name is Bernie Gonzales and I currently attend the Warren Prescott in Charlestown. In my free time I enjoy playing football and basketball. The reason I joined Turn It Around was to learn
more about my community and what it has to offer being a part of it.
Participating in the Turn It Around events are fun and I get to do them with my friends. I love my community because I have many friends who live near me and I don’t ever feel left out. I hope one day to live in a safe environment where there is no violence or drug misuse. Something interesting about me is that I’m typically a quiet and shy person, but at Turn It Around events, I tend to be more outgoing.
Brandol
My name is Brandol and I am 15 years old. I like to play sports, mainly basketball, football and baseball. I attend Charlestown High School. I joined Turn It Around because they are a great community group. They are like a second family. I can talk to the group and staff about anything that’s going on in my life and they support me. They also help me try new things I've never done before. if I need something they help me or if they need help and volunteers I can help them. I want the people in my community to know that Turn It Around is the best group I've even been a part of. I love my community because this is where I live and I want to see everyone do well and this youth group can help!
Brianna
My name is Brianna-Colon-Arroyo and I am 14 years old. I joined Turn It Around in 2018 to meet new people and make new friends. It’s been very fun so far! I love volunteering and working the Turn It Around events because I get to meet people in my community and share important information about having a healthy lifestyle. What I really love about Turn It Around is that the group is very accepting of others and encourages everyone to be true to themselves. Some of my hobbies include singing, dancing and creating art. Also, one day I hope to become a police officer.
Bryanna
My name is Bryanna Gardener and I grew up in Charlestown and attended Charlestown High School. I joined Turn It Around to stay out of trouble and to keep me and my friend busy doing
positive things. The best part is, Turn It Around happens to be really fun! We do a lot of activities and talk about real things and they help with overcoming life’s struggles.
Anything you need—whether it’s food, clothes, or even something simple, the staff will help as much as they can.
Turn it Around means a lot to me and they are like my family. I’ve known most of the people there since I was a child. If I ever need anything or need to talk to anyone I know they will always have open ears and hearts. Turn It Around has helped prepare me for the future and if I ever need a recommendation I know they would support me because they know me best. My future goal is to make a change and I can do that by being a part of this group. I don’t know how or when but that’s my goal; to one day have my name ring bells for good reasons.
Caiden
My name is Caiden and I'm 14 years old. I joined Turn It Around in 2021 because I'm looking to improve my community and meet new people. My papa liked helping people and so do I and I know this is a great group that gives back. I care about my town because it's where my family is and I want to help make sure it's a good place to live. One day, I hope to be in the NBA or an architect.
Casey
Hi, my name is Casey Maloy and I joined Turn It Around to support youth against drugs. I like to
do events with my youth group Turn It Around because it is important to educate the
communities of what problems people and youth are currently facing. By coming together, we can make a difference in the lives of others.
Turn It Around has helped me build self-confidence and has given me the courage to speak-up and present ideas. It has also helped me think about the future and what I want to do in my life. One of my goals in life is to join the military after high school and I know TIA can give me some of the skills needed to be successful.
Darianny
My name is Darianny and I'm 17 years old. I joined Turn It Around in 2019 because a friend of mine brought me to the group and it was a lot of fun. I really enjoy all the opportunities Turn It Around offers, including creative workshops, like T-shirt making. I love my community because it makes me feel comfortable and safe and that's why I want to give back. One day I hope to become a lawyer or doctor. Thanks to Turn It Around I believe I can do anything with the right support behind me.
Dylan
My name is Dylan and I live in Charlestown. I’ve been an official member of Turn It Around since 2016 with my two brothers. I joined Turn It Around because I saw so many people affected by the drug
epidemic, I wanted to help bring an end to the crisis. I really enjoy being a part of the TIA community events because they benefit everyone involved. Even though it might not be so obvious, I have a big
heart and love to take care of people. That is what this group is all about and I love my community because it feels like a big family as well.
Edwina
My name is Edwina White and I am a part of Turn It Around. Turn It Around is a group of youth who help make people aware of the dangers of substance use out to the community by doing relatable and educational events.
I am very proud to be a part of Turn It Around because I’m doing something positive and I can even save a life. I joined this group because I wanted to be able to help people even if it’s in the littlest way. Being a part of an organization like this makes me feel proud. I’m actually doing something in my life that is constructive, and I am not even old yet. I started Turn it Around when I was 14 and have been a part of it for 2 years! In the 2 years, I have learned a lot and have stepped out of my comfort zone. I use the knowledge from Turn it Around to inform young people in my generation about things that I have learned. I hope this will be a cycle where I tell them, they tell others, and eventually spread the awareness about drug misuse.
I want Turn It Around to be bigger and more popular. Many people know about McDonalds, that’s how I want people to know about Turn It Around, I want people to be like ‘Oh yeah that’s Turn It Around”. Many times, when I wear my Turn It Around shirt, many people will ask “What’s that?” I usually tell them, but I just hope more people learn and know about us.
EJ
My name is Edwin Slater and I was one of the original Turn It Around members when we started this small social media campaign in 2013. I joined Turn It Around because I remember what it was like to be
the child growing up and seeing dirty needles in the parks. As I got older I started to realize the needles were just getting worse and worse and I wanted to make a difference for the future children of the community.
Being a part of Turn It Around gives me the opportunity to educate the community on the dangers of drugs and how leaving dirty needles can be harmful to children and the surrounding community. I want a neighborhood where children can play in a park without having to see dirty needles or even witness bystanders nodding off or using drugs around them and with Turn It Around we can change that.
Emmanuella
EmMy name is Emmanuella and I’m 17 years old. I officially
joined Turn It Around in 2019 although I worked as an office assistant at the
Charlestown Coalition since 2017. I decided to join Turn It Around because everyone
was very welcoming. Also, my siblings are members and I wanted to keep them
company. I enjoy participating in the Turn It Around weekly meetings because we
learn new things and get to express our thoughts and opinions with each other.
My community means a lot to me because everyone has each other’s best interest
in mind and we care for one another. Things that are unique about me is that I
plan on becoming a neurosurgeon and I taught myself to draw.
Fatima
My name is Fatima Fontes and I have lived in Charlestown since I was five years old. I. I joined Turn It Around because one of my friends was a member. One day after school Yessica told me
and Zaire to come to Turn It Around with her. The meeting was at the Boys and Girls Club. I was interested in joining because I wanted to help the community and help influence people to
understand that drug use isn’t the way your life should go. Now I get a chance to do those things.
Turn It Around is going to have a great impact on the community. In the future I want to become a Pediatrician; that’s been my life goal since I was about six. Turn It Around helps that a lot because we work with kids and that can prepare me for my future goal. I’m grateful to be a member of Turn It Around.
Frankie
My name is Frankie Feeley and I joined Turn It Around in 2015. I grew up in Charlestown for a majority of my life. I lived in Charlestown up until I was nine years old when my parents got a divorce and I
moved with my dad. Living with my dad, I spent much of my time in Danvers and weekends in Charlestown. My mom always remained there and I just recently moved back with her.
Being older, my eyes have opened to the unbelievable use of opiate drugs in Massachusetts, especially in the North Shore and Boston area. Scrolling down my Facebook feed, there always seems to be a post about an overdose or bad batch of heroin. Walking the streets of Boston you see many types of people. Rich people, poor people, middle class people, college students, and kids—people of all races. Among these people you can see the ones that drugs have gotten the best of. It’s sad to see and that is why I joined Turn It Around.
I like being a part of Turn It Around because I know I can make a difference in somebody’s life and I feel as though I can have a strong influence and be a role model for other children and even adults.
Franklin
My name is Franklin Udeh and I grew up in Charlestown and attended Charlestown High School. I lived in Dorchester up until I was twelve years old then I moved to Charlestown and that has been my home since. I like playing
basketball and working out. More importantly, I like making a positive difference in my community. I have younger siblings who have heard great things about Turn It Around and are also interested in joining the group because of all
the awesome things we do.
The reason I joined Turn It Around is to be a positive example to those around me. I enjoy participating in the Turn It Around events because they help connect me with my community.
Geno
My name is Geno Feeley and I go to is the Edwards Middle School. I am from Charlestown and have lived here since I was a child. One of the reasons that I joined Turn It Around is because I wanted to help
other people that were in need. Another reason that I joined Turn It Around is because I wanted to make a difference in my community. This group has helped the community in a lot of ways and many
people like the Mayor of Boston, Marty Walsh, are supportive of our group.
I want to help the community just like he does, and being a part of Turn It Around helps me do that. My goals are to become someone who affects the world and my community in a positive way. I want to work with people like the homeless or even foster a child who needs a home. That is why I joined Turn It Around.
Gift
My name is Gift and I’m 14 years old. I currently attend
Boston Latin School. I’ve been an official member of Turn It Around since May
2019. My hobbies are running track and listening to music.
I joined Turn It
Around because I have always heard great things about it from my siblings who are also members. I love working the Turn It Around events because they are a
fun way to connect with my community.
My community is important to me because
we are all very close.
One day I hope to be a nurse or lawyer. Something
interesting about me is that I was born in Nigeria but moved to America when I
was 4 years old.
Halima
My name is Halima Hussein and I live in Charlestown. I was working at the Boys and Girls club the summer of 2014 and that is how I heard about Turn It Around. I was really interested in all the things I heard that I just had to join. When I joined TIA, I began learning a lot about the Charlestown community and I was happy to be involved to help change the negatives, such as having the highest overdose rate.
Before I joined Turn It Around, I noticed the TIA posters around the town and on the MBTA buses and was curious to what it was about. Now I know and I am a part of it because it’s organizations like this one that can truly impact a neighborhood in a positive way!
Jeremiah
My name is Jeremiah St. Louis and I am 18 years old and I attend Charlestown High School and play for the school’s football team. I have been a member of Turn It Around since 2016. My hobbies are playing fortnight, football and working out. The reason I joined Turn It Around was because I heard that it was lit and would give me better opportunities. I like being part of a group that helps the community. I hope one day to be a very successful person and I think being involved in Turn It Around will help me reach that goal.
John
My name is John and I joined Turn It Around in 2018 because I heard it was a good way to make money and help my community. Some of my favorite things about Turn It Around are the events, and the weekly meetings. Learning new skills in TIA has given me confidence in myself and has open the door to new opportunities. I love being a part of TIA because my friends are in it and I can make a difference in my neighborhood. Some of my hobbies include playing football and basketball.
Kaltuma
My name is Kaltuma and I have lived in Charlestown for most of my adolescence. As a youth, I was unaware that Charlestown has the highest rate of drug overdose, until I joined Turn It Around. I first attended a Turn It Around event back in December of 2014 where the youth held a “hat and glove drive”. I thought that it was a great program and what the youth were doing was amazing. I decided then that I would join the campaign and help others in need and help spread awareness. I have learned so much since I have joined Turn it Around and I know I can use this information throughout my life. It
also helped me learn more about the community I live in and be able to be a part of the change.
Karen
My name is Karen and I joined Turn It Around in January 2021. I am currently enrolled at Prospect Hill Academy and I'm 15 years old. Some of my hobbies are reading, specifically about solving crime cases. I joined Turn It Around because I've heard a lot of good things about it and I finally wanted to give it a try and start making new friends. I'm excited to be a part of this group because it will allow me to try new things and have opportunities I may not have without a support group like this. When I'm older I hope to have enough money to help provide for myself and family.
Kelvin
My name is Kelvin and I attend Charlestown High School. I joined Turn It Around in the summer of 2019 after participating in Mswati's Summer Enrichment Program. I believe my personality is a great addition to Turn It Around because everyone seems to want to do the same thing, help our community and have a better life. Turn It Around provides great opportunities and I'm very grateful to be a part of it. Some things about me are that I love to play basketball and go to the gym. One day I hope to be an NFL player or do commentary for sports. I also love eating good food and having positive vibes around me.
Kewin
My name is Kewin and I joined Turn It Around in 2016. I joined the group to better myself, turn my life around, and be a role model to the next generation. You can turn being bored into
something bad but Turn It Around gives us jobs, support, and motivates me because I get to do better in life. My friend kept on telling me to join and I said no like four times, and one day I just
decided to show up. I don’t know what I would be doing right now if I hadn’t. I know I wouldn’t be playing football for sure. I wouldn’t have a job either. It kind of goes with the motivation.
Honestly, TIA is like no other youth group I’ve been a part of.
Khalid
Hello, my name is Khalid. I am a graduate from Charlestown High school and a Turn It Around member. I was first introduced to Turn It Around by my younger brother Feisal, and decided to join in 2019. I was always into community organizations that help the youth get involved in the neighborhood. In all my years of being involved in my community, I have never felt more determined and engaged than I do in Turn It Around. Turn It Around has given me the opportunity to make a difference and be a part of a family that will be by my shoulder through anything. We at Turn It Around support our community succeed in giving residents a better quality of life.
Kyla
Laneigh
My name is Laneigh Lundin and I have been born and raised in Charlestown. I joined Turn It Around in 2013. I have seen what drugs do and the way they affect people my whole life. Drug addiction is a disease that has hit the lives of many family members along with friend’s families. I want to make a difference and spread awareness and through Turn It Around, I can do just that. Most importantly I don’t want to see any more people from my town die because of this epidemic. I am thankful to have a community that cares enough to start a group like this and I am happy to be a part of it.
Lataya
I am Lataya and I go to Snowden International High School. I joined Turn It Around in 2016 because I see it as a great opportunity to learn something new. I also wanted to understand how drugs were affecting
the Charlestown community as well as other Boston communities. I would like to help make Charlestown a safer community to live and go to school for everyone.
The Director of the Charlestown Coalition, Sarah, mentioned it to me and my friend Wellington one day about the mission of Turn It Around and it really struck me. I was like why not join. It’s fun, you experience new things, meet new people, I met the mayor. Just a lot of fun things going on.
As a 6th grader I met a lot of new people, and I just started hanging out here more and more. I kept on oing ever since then. I went to their football games and made a lot more friends. I worked at the Charlestown Health Center over the summer and it was fun too. I got to shadow a nurse practitioner. I have had many amazing opportunities given to me since joining Turn It Around and I hope in the future that I will be able to pass along the knowledge and education TIA has share with me to help educate others.
Lil Melvin
My name is Melvin and I am from Charlestown. I have been a member of Turn It Around since 2016. I joined it because people were saying it would be good for me. I want to be a better
person in the future by helping people. I like Turn It Around because we help people and we do things that are fun and educational for the community. We play games, we break into groups, and we talk if we are having a hard time with things. I care about the environment and homeless people and so doesn’t the staff of Turn It Around. I helped the group leaders decide to do a volunteer trip at one of the local shelters and it was success. It is awesome that they actually listen to us and help bring our ideas to life.
Luis
My name is Luis and I joined Turn It Around in 2019. I joined the group after my brother, who is a member, told me all about the opportunities they provide. I like being in this group because I get to meet new people and help my community. My community has a lot of nice people and it is safe, so it makes me feel good knowing I am giving back to it. One day I hope to be an entrepreneur. Some of my hobbies include playing basketball video games and learning about cars.
Mageney
My name is Mageney Omar and I moved to Charlestown when I was younger, and I did not have that much knowledge on my community’s drug problem when first arriving. After moving here, a friend told
me about Turn It Around and all the changes they were making in the community such as holding events to bring all parts of the community together and educate them about the dangers of drugs and other
social injustice issues. After hearing the positive messages from group members, I decided to join. Since joining, Turn It Around has equipped me with a lot of information about how to combat drug misuse and how to prepare myself for adulthood.
Makai
My name is Makai and I joined Turn It Around in 2021 at the age of 16. I love playing basketball and listening to music. When I heard from friends about the Turn It Around group, I decided to check it out seeing how many of my friends are involved. I became a member when I realized the positive impact I could make in my community. Turn It Around gives me the opportunity to make a change in my neighborhood and to help people. It's a unique group, more like a family. I'm grateful to be part of it.
Mark
My name is Mark Robinson and I joined Turn It Around in 2013. I am also one of the original creators of this campaign and I can’t begin to describe how happy I am to see how much we have grown since our
first meeting. Drugs have played a major part in my family for as long as I can remember. My mother was an addict who died from an overdose in 2006 when I was only 11. It wasn’t only my mother who
struggled though, many of my family members have been put up for adoption or put into foster homes due to their parents being on drugs, my twin brother and I included.
As we all grew up, some of us went one way and the others turned down that dark path. Every day you see on Facebook or the news, someone else dead from a drug overdose, and it honestly needs to end. Being a part of Turn It Around has made it possible for me to have a voice in ending the stigma and raising awareness on this deadly disease. I don’t want to see anymore family members or friends suffer from the loss of a loved one and for that reason I am grateful to have helped start such a great initiative.
Mathewos
My name is Mathewos and I’ve been a member of Turn It Around since 2017. I joined because I heard about all of the awesome events they do in our community and thought it would be a good idea to get
involved. I have a lot of friends in the group which makes it even better that we get to do good things together. Each week we learn something new and eat good food. This is the best group I’ve ever been a
part of.
Matt
My name is Matt Robinson and I joined Turn It Around in 2013. When I first joined, I didn’t expect much of this campaign and I didn’t know it would be as much of a success as it is today. It has been amazing to
experience such an epic journey. I joined Turn It Around for the same reason everyone else did; the fact that drugs are a massive epidemic and have been since my earliest memories. You don’t have to be an
addict to feel and see the negative affects it has on the user and the user’s surroundings.
My childhood was growing up with several addicts and till this day it has affected me. The only way to prevent this issue and not let other kids grow up how I did is to spread awareness and educate not only
the youth but the parents and adults of this community as well. Whether you like it or not, you are defined by your environment and as you grow up in a toxic environment (community) it has some effects on you as a person. You get use to the surrounding and things become familiar or “not as strange” as it once was. That is how most young teenagers or anyone for that matter starts using and or
escalates to much more dangerous drugs. That is why I joined Turn IT Around; to help spread awareness, educate the community, and mainly to keep the youth busy while bringing the community together at the same time.
Mawuko
My name is Mawuko Attivor and I’m 17 years old. I currently attend City on A Hill Charter School. I became a member of Turn It Around in December of 2018. I am interested in sports, especially basketball, and tennis. I joined Turn It Around because my friends who were already members really like it and I figured I would too! I look forward to participating in the Turn It Around events because I get to experience new things and meet new people. I love my community because it is very diverse and so I want to keep it a good place to live and grow. I aspire to be a real estate broker and something unique about me is that I’m lefthanded.
Max
My name is Max Joseph. I'm 16 years old and a freshman at Charlestown High School. I recently moved to Charlestown from Lynn. I was interested in joining Turn It Around because I get to work with other kids my age doing activities and events that help benefit the community. My dreams and goals in life are to become the best at what I love doing, which is basketball. I plan on going to the league (the NBA) and being competitive with other people. Being in Turn It Around has helped me meet a lot of people in my community, especially since I'm new.
Melissa
My name is Melissa and I joined Turn It Around because many of my friends are involved and they really enjoy it. Like them, I want to help people and I know this group can also help me by keeping me out of
trouble. I love my community because we share love with everyone. I like to help people with any problems they might have and that is the motivation of this group. I really like doing the community
events because we get to meet new people and have our voices and opinions heard by others. We also get to share the awesome things we do with others in hopes they’ll join too!
Melvin
My name is Melvin Jones Jr. and I joined Turn It Around in 2015. Some of my hobbies include making music and playing basketball. I was interested in joining Turn It Around because it was something fun to do after school. Helping the community is something I’ve always wanted to do and through Turn It Around we make a difference. I love my community because I was raised here and know a lot of my
neighbors. One of my dreams in life is to become an actor. However, helping my friends, family and neighbors is more important to me.
Michaela
My name is Michaela Lewey and I joined Turn It Around in 2013. I have lived in Charlestown my entire life and have always wanted to help my community. Being a part of Turn It Around gives me courage and
strength to help my community as drugs and violence tear it apart. Being involved with Turn It Around is a great part of my life and I am grateful to be able to contribute to the great work that they do!
Norelia
My name is Norelia, also known as Lia, and I joined Turn It Around in 2018. I joined TIA because I believe youth are the foundation of change and I wanted to be a part of that movement. I know Turn It Around is the type of youth organization that believes this as well so it made sense for me to join. I have a friend that joined during the same time as me too. We also got to go on a 6 Flags Turn It Around youth trip during the summer that was a lot of fun. It’s awesome to get rewarded for our hard work and dedication to this group and our community.
Omar
I’m Omar and I go to Charlestown High School. I joined Turn It Around in April 2018 because a lot of my friends are in it and they really like it. Once I joined, I understood why so many people I know are involved. One of the great things about TIA is that you can volunteer and help the less fortunate. Whether it’s educating people about the dangers of drug use, collecting unused medications, or throwing a community BBQ, Turn It Around does it all. I love this group and my community because everyone treats each other like family. One of my favorite things to do is to show people and my community love by giving back and through this group I’m able to do that.
Precious
Hi, my name is Precious, and I am the younger sister of one of the official members, Franklin. I joined Turn It Around in 2018 after my brother talked so highly of the group for a long time. I also joined because I wanted to be more involved in the positive change for the Charlestown community. I know by being a part of this group I’ll learn many valuable skills. This group has provided me with so many wonderful opportunities already, including being a summer intern in their Charlestown Coalition office, going on a field trip to 6 Flags, and attending educational workshops. I look forward to what the future of Turn It Around holds for me and our communities. Another great feature of this group is although it feels like a tight-knit organization, everyone is welcome to join or get more involved.
Rahsaun
My name is Rahsaun Brown and I’ve been a member of Turn It Around since 2013. My hobbies are playing basketball and listening and writing music. I would say that I am very talented in both. Recently, I just wrote a
song and I hope to utilize the resources around me, such as the Boys and Girls Club music studio, to bring my music to life.
The reason I joined Turn It Around is because I wanted a better life for myself. Joining Turn It Around has changed my life for the better and keeps me out of trouble. When I need a place to go or someone to talk to, I know I can count on the Turn It Around staff. I can trust them to help me with anything.
I enjoy participating in the Turn It Around events because I get to have fun with my friends and give back to the community at the same time. I love my community because it cares about kids my age and the struggles we face. I hope one day to be rich, so I can help those around me and not have to stress about paying bills.
Renalido
My name is Renalido Etienne and I joined Turn It Around in 2018. I currently attend Charlestown High school. One of my talents, not many people know about me, is that I am very fast on my
feet. I aspire to be an engineer one day and even more so to join the NBA and be in the Hall of Fame. I heard about Turn It Around from my friends and decided to get involved because I know
it will keep me out of trouble. I enjoy doing the Turn It Around activities and events because they teach me valuable life lessons that will prepare me for the future. I love my community because
I was raised here and I want to give back by being a good example to the younger generations which I know Turn It Around can help me do.
Ryan
My name is Ryan and I joined Turn It Around in 2019 because I want to be an active member of my community. I like helping people and Turn It Around gives me the opportunity to do so in many ways. One way, is by teaching others about coping skills and dealing with life’s pressures at different community events. I really enjoy being a part of my community because there are so many organizations for youth to get involved with and Turn It Around has been the perfect group for me.
Samuel
My name is Samuel and I am 13 years old. I attend school in Charlestown. I joined Turn It Around in 2019 because I want to learn how to save money for college. I love working the Turn It Around events because they help me build a sense of hard work and accomplishment. My community is full of helpful people and it makes me feel great to be part of a youth group that gives back to them. One day I hope to be an esteemed artist and one of my hobbies is drawing.
Shahad
My name is Shahad and I was born and raised in Iraq. I have been living in Charlestown for a while now. I speak two languages (Arabic and English). A while back, my family and I moved to
America due to the war and the violence that occurred in my country.
I joined Turn It Around towards the end of 2016 because I thought it was a good way to be involved in the community. It’s been an amazing experience so far. My goal is to go to Harvard and make all my goals, such as being an active citizen and medical doctor, come true. I think Turn It Around will help me with my goals because they are very helpful and always here for me and everyone. Hopefully in the future I can make great memories with amazing people at Turn It Around, I feel like I already have so far.
Shaun
My name is Shaun and I joined Turn it Around in 2016. I have lived in Charlestown for a long time and growing up in this part of Boston I have witnessed drugs and violence in my community. It is sad to see so many older people and even kids a little older than me struggling from drugs and it needs to stop. Joining Turn IT Around has given me the ability to help spread awareness and learn what to do in situations where someone is not okay. I want to be able to educate the younger generation of my community, so they won’t end up like the older ones. It is programs like Turn It Around that gives my generation a voice and courage to make a difference.
Sierra
Hello, my name is Sierra and I joined Turn It Around because it’s an opportunity to help other people and that is a passion of mine. Although, I tend to be reserved and quiet, once you get to know me, you can see my heart for others and how important it is for me to help people in need. I have done many events with Turn It Around in the Charlestown community and have already made such a difference by
taking 75 lbs. of unused medication off the street during our Annual Take Back Day in 2018. This group is an awesome organization because they let us be ourselves, but also encourage us to be the best we can
be.
Stanley
My name is Stanley and I have been a member of Turn It Around since 2016. I joined Turn It Around because it’s an opportunity for me to get some help through my life experiences. The
staff of Turn It Around have helped me in so many ways. Whether it’s writing my resume, applying to a job, or just giving me advice about life, they are always there to listen and to help
me solve any issues I may be facing. In the future I want to play professional basketball and Turn It Around helps because they have an annual basketball tournament that lets me show off my skills.
Stephon
My name is Stephon and I joined Turn It Around in 2017 because I like helping my community. My future goal is to graduate high school and make it to college. Currently, Turn It Around has
helped increase my self-confidence and encouraged me to apply to different places of employment. They even helped me get a job in my neighborhood helping younger kids with their
homework. I enjoy being in Turn It Around because of all the support I receive from the group and staff. Turn It Around is an awesome group to be a part of.
Steven
My name is Steven Wilson and I have been a member of Turn It Around since 2016. The reason I joined Turn It Around is because I wanted to make a difference in my community. I enjoy participating in Turn It Around events because I like spending times with my peers and doing positive things. I love my community because it is a part of who I am, my community keeps me strong and I keep it safe. I hope
one day to be a social worker and have my own fashion line. Some of my hobbies are playing basketball and video games. I also dream of being a foster parent to help kids who don’t have a place to call home. Turn It Around has changed my life for the better and keeps me accountable for my actions. Thank you TIA!
Terrell
My name is Terrell and I joined Turn It Around in the summer of 2017 to get more education on bettering myself. I like that Turn It Around offers lots of opportunities to learn from and I want to use my role in Turn It Around to make the community better and make a change for myself and the rest of my peers. My goal for the future is to go to a D1 college and play basketball and then join TMT with Floyd Mayweather and be part of his work (aka one of the richest group of black men in the world). Turn It Around is helpful motivation to pass high school and achieve these goals. They don’t give up on people and they have helped me reach goals I didn’t know was possible.
Valentina
Wellington
My name is Wellington Melo and I joined Turn It Around in 2016. I grew up in Charlestown my whole life. When I was younger, I was a troubled kid and was surrounded by negative activity. I was one of the
kids selling drugs to make money to survive and I saw firsthand how the drugs were affecting people, but I was a kid and I only worried about the money, not realizing how I was destroying my community.
Now that I am a little more grown up and have positive people in my life to steer me in the right direction, I can look back and see how these people are actually suffering. Many people that are using are homeless, sick, starving, and even dying. I joined Turn it Around to better my knowledge about the big issue and be able to give back to the community that I was hurting. Turn it Around has opened my eyes to a brighter future and is giving me great opportunities to better my life. Getting connected to the Turn It Around program also provided me with opportunities to keep me off of the streets, giving me something positive to be a part of, and has helped me avoid gang activity and run-ins with the law.
This group “ Turn It Around” can be a good impact in the future, giving me experience on how to work with the community and also to help keep kids on the positive path, like me!
Yanailyz
Hi, my name is Yanailyz and I live in Charlestown, MA. The reason why I joined Turn It Around is because I heard from a friend and he told me the activities they do and I liked the sound of it. I
also wanted to be part of a community that can help make me a better person. I like that the Turn It Around group goes out into the community to raise awareness and funds for people in
need. I enjoy going to the events and supporting the groups initiatives because their desire is to make our neighborhood a better place.
Yessica
My name is Yessica and I graduated from Charlestown High School. I played volleyball and softball as a student. I really enjoyed going to school, especially history class. I feel like later on
in life I would like to be a history teacher because in school it’s very easy for me. I love hanging out with my friends.
When I first started attending Turn it Around in September 2016, I really didn’t know what I was getting into. But, to be honest, I love this program and I love coming here, even still. The fact that I can come here and make a change in the community really motivates me to do better. I have met new people that I had never met before and that makes me very happy to have more friends. I know that I have an adult at Turn It Around that will help me and support me in life. I really enjoy this program and I love coming here.
Zaire
My name is Zaire and I was first introduced to Turn It Around at my school, Charlestown High School. Turn It Around is a significant asset to my life because of my long-term goal of
becoming a psychologist. The reason I say this is because Turn It Around teaches me various life skills that better prepare me for my future (the real world). This includes offering guidance,
increasing patience, making healthy life choices, and so on. By me furthering my bond with Turn It Around I know it can only become a positive aspect of life.
Zhanae
My name is Zhanae and I’ve been a member of Turn It Around since 2017. Some of my hobbies include playing sports and listening to music. The reason I joined Turn It Around was to keep me out of trouble. I really enjoy participating in the Turn It Around events because they’re fun and we get to meet new people. I love my community because there is a lot of places to go and things to do. One of my goals in life is to become a professional athlete. Something interesting about myself is that I’m funny and can make people laugh.