BUFFALO, N.Y. — The Juvenile Justice Coalition, Buffalo Bills players, and proud parents are celebrating kids and teenagers who are turning their lives around. It's a part of the Youth Empowered Program, which recognizes those who work hard to better themselves.
"You're more than what you think you are. You can achieve more than you think you can. Just always push forward. There's more work to be done, and there's always thing that you can improve on, even me," Tyler Chaplin said.
At just 19 years old, Chaplin made a mistake that oftentimes gave people like him a lifelong label.
"I put myself in that position, and any position I put myself in, I understand I have to work my way out of it," Chaplin said.
He continued, "When I was in detention, I really had time to sit back and reflect. I got away from cannabis, so my mind was more clear and level-headed."
With that mindset, Tyler changed his life with the Youth Empowered Program.
"Not every youth is going to change directions, and I'm realistic enough to know that, but you never know which ones will," family court Judge Brenda Freedman said.
The Youth Empowered Program is a program is celebrating the success of youth who were formally in the juvenile system in making their life better. Judge Freedman is facilitating that.
"Most of the attention that the media gives or the court system gives is on the worst kids at their worst moments. No youth is defined by their worst moments. None of us are defined by our worst moments," Judge Freedman says.
Not only is Chaplin getting special recognition, but so are 40 other teenagers. Chaplin's life coordinator with the William George Agency couldn't be more proud.
"He goes above and beyond. He really does. I can tell the support he has encourages him, and he feels safe enough to continue to keep moving, and it's really beautiful to watch," said Chaplin's independent life skills coordinator, Kera Simmons.