100th Anniversary Stories

On a crisp autumn afternoon in 2015, a young sophomore named Namon Smith walked into his first BAM (Becoming A Man)) session at John Hope College Prep. The program, designed to foster emotional intelligence and provide mentorship to young men, became the guiding force Namon didn’t realize he desperately needed.

Born and raised in a single-parent household, Namon had grown accustomed to a life of frustration and anger. His father had been in and out of prison since he was in eighth grade, leaving Namon to navigate adolescence without the male role model he craved. “I was the only boy in my house,” Namon says. “There was a lot of anger in me, and I didn’t know how to deal with it.”

Then came BAM. Established by Youth Guidance, the program offers in-school mentoring and social-emotional support to help young men overcome the challenges that often push them toward violence. For Namon, it was an unexpected lifeline, providing not only a safe space to express his emotions but also the strong male role model he had been seeking. That mentor was Rickey Williams-Layfield.

Unleashing Potential

Rickey’s commitment to BAM runs deep. Over his ten years with Youth Guidance, he has worn many hats—counselor, supervisor, curriculum specialist—and mentored hundreds of young men. For Rickey, BAM is not just about preventing violence; it’s about helping young men discover their own potential, despite the odds stacked against them.

“I see myself in a lot of the students I work with,” Namon says. “I know what it’s like to be angry, to feel lost. That’s why I’m so dedicated to showing up for these boys the way Rickey showed up for me.”

Namon was no exception. Over time, the young man who once struggled with unchecked anger began to blossom. Through the group circles, Namon learned how to process his emotions constructively and lean on the support of his peers. But it was Rickey’s consistent presence—showing up at Namon’s basketball games, staying after hours to talk—that made the real difference.

“Rickey came to more of my games than my own family,” Namon recalls. “It meant the world to me. He was there when no one else was.” That support, Namon says, helped him learn to manage his anger, turning what once threatened to derail his future into motivation to succeed. “He taught me how to be a man and a leader.”

Today, the student has become the mentor. Namon, now a BAM counselor himself, has come full circle. His journey from troubled teen to mentor is a powerful testament to the transformative power of BAM’s model—a model that recognizes the potential in every young man, regardless of their circumstances.

“I see myself in a lot of the students I work with,” Namon says. “I know what it’s like to be angry, to feel lost. That’s why I’m so dedicated to showing up for these boys the way Rickey showed up for me.” He attends their games, helps them through their challenges, and reminds them, as Rickey reminded him, that they are capable of more than they realize.

Paying it Forward

For Rickey, watching Namon evolve from a struggling high school sophomore to a confident, capable mentor is one of his proudest moments. “Seeing Namon become a leader in his own right, knowing that I had a part in that—it’s the greatest feeling in the world.”

But the story doesn’t end here. Both Namon and Rickey have a vision for BAM’s future: expanding the program to reach young men beyond high school. “Real manhood starts after graduation,” Namon says. “We need to make sure these young men continue to have guidance as they step into adulthood.”

As they look to the future, both men remain steadfast in their mission: to break the cycle of violence and empower the next generation of leaders. They know firsthand that the journey from student to mentor is not an easy one, but it is one filled with hope.

“BAM changed my life,” Namon says. “Now it’s my turn to pay it forward.”

In 2015, Anais Zayas walked into Kelvyn Park Junior High and High School with a purpose. As a proud product of Chicago Public Schools, Anais had a deep understanding of the challenges young girls in her community faced. She had grown up just around the corner, and now, as a licensed social worker, she returned to give back in a way she wished had been available to her when she was a student.

Anais was tasked with launching Youth Guidance’s Working on Womanhood (WOW) program at Kelvyn Park, a group counseling and support program focused on fostering emotional, social, and leadership skills in young women. The WOW program is centered around five core values: self-awareness, emotional intelligence, healthy relationships, visionary goal-setting, and leadership. For Anais, these values were more than words—they were guiding principles she wished she had encountered as a young woman navigating the complexities of adolescence.

“I saw how much WOW changed my life,” Aaliyah says. “I wanted to be that person for other girls, to help them find their voice and their path the way Anais helped me.”

One of the first students Anais met that year was Aaliyah Castillo, a bright and energetic freshman who quickly stood out. Aaliyah had a natural charisma, always involved in activities like cheerleading and ROTC, but behind her smile, she was dealing with personal struggles. She had recently lost her grandmother, a figure who had been her biggest source of support. Aaliyah also faced the challenges of growing up in a single-parent household, which often left her feeling alone and unheard.

“I was dealing with a lot when I met Ms. Zayas,” Aaliyah recalls. “But she was always there. Her energy, her passion—you couldn’t be in a bad mood around her. She made sure I felt heard and supported. When I was down, I knew I could run to her, and everything would be okay.”

Safe Space

The bond between Anais and Aaliyah grew quickly. Anais saw something special in Aaliyah. “She was a natural leader from day one,” Anais remembers. “She had this determination and caring spirit that shone through in everything she did. I knew she would go on to do great things, even back then.” Anais provided Aaliyah with the guidance and support she needed to navigate her challenges, both inside and outside the classroom. Through WOW, Aaliyah found a safe space to express herself and began to grow into the confident, self-assured young woman she was meant to be.

Inspired by Anais and the impact WOW had on her life, Aaliyah soon began to dream of becoming a social worker herself. She knew she wanted to give back, just as Anais had done for her. “I saw how much WOW changed my life,” Aaliyah says. “I wanted to be that person for other girls, to help them find their voice and their path the way Anais helped me.”

After graduating from high school, Aaliyah pursued her degree in social work, following the path Anais had laid out for her. But their story didn’t end there. Years later, Aaliyah’s journey came full circle when she returned to Kelvyn Park as a graduate student intern for WOW, working side by side with Anais to guide a new generation of young women.

Full Circle

“When I walked back into the same classroom, not as a student but as an intern, it was surreal,” Aaliyah reflects. “I was able to give back to the same girls who were sitting where I once sat. It’s such a blessing to be in this position, to be the mentor I once needed.”

For Anais, seeing Aaliyah return as an intern was nothing short of remarkable. “I always tell my students that I may never get to see the seeds I plant flourish, but with Aaliyah, I did. Watching her grow from a student to a leader in this program has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. She’s now doing for these girls what I did for her, and that’s the beauty of this full-circle moment.”

Together, Anais and Aaliyah are a testament to the power of mentorship, showing how one act of guidance can create a ripple effect that changes lives for generations to come.

At Youth Guidance, stories like Anais and Aaliyah’s are at the heart of what we do. When you support programs like WOW, you’re helping to create these full-circle moments, where today’s students become tomorrow’s mentors. You’re planting the seeds of hope and opportunity that will continue to grow for years to come.