Denver Teen Goes From Homeless To Youth Of The Year
DENVER (CBS4) -Jahanna "JJ" Brunson won the 2015 Colorado Boys & Girls Clubs Youth of the Year award. She was competing against 15 other Boys & Girls Club members from across the state and had to overcome some big obstacles to get there.
Brunson is a junior staff member at the Cope Club in Denver.
"I love my job. Working with all these kids here, I think it's very exciting," Brunson told CBS4.
She helps with homework, works with a group to prevent bullying, and takes on extra responsibilities at the club.
"I'm a mentor for specific kids here at the Boys & Girls Club that are going through different things at home. I mentor them because I've been through some of the hardships that they're going through," Brunson explained.
Brunson has overcome incredible hardships in her life, including abuse, neglect and homelessness.
"Sometimes me and my brother would be without food, or be without clothes and things because alcohol is priority in the house," Brunson said.
Brunson talked about being beaten and running away because being homeless was better than being at home.
"We would sleep under bridges and at strangers houses and in parks. Eat out of trash cans and steal from stores and steal money and things to survive," Brunson remembered.
Five years ago, Bronson found the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver and started living in her grandmother's home. Her entire life changed and she began to reach her true potential. She's become a leader at the Cope Club and now Youth of the Year.
"I think sometimes that it's a dream a little bit, that I won Youth of the Year, and that I'm inspiring youth around the state," Brunson said.
She's ready for the challenge. The 17-year-old is a junior at South High School, with plans to go to Colorado State University and into the military. She says that the Army, Navy, and Air Force are all courting her. Eventually she wants to be an emergency room doctor and a chef.
"Being a chef… I just like to cook and I mean… it's food… who doesn't like food?" Brunson said with a big smile on her face.
Brunson said that if it wasn't for the support and caring of the Boys & Girls Club, she would probably be on the streets, potentially involved in drugs and violence.
"They [the Boys & Girls Club] definitely change lives because they've changed mine," Brunson said.
The Boys & Girls Clubs of America started the Youth of the Year program in 1947. It recognizes Club members who have overcome personal challenges to give back to their Clubs and communities. The award is based on leadership, academic achievement, community service, and overcoming obstacles.
Brunson will compete in the Southwest regional competition this summer in Texas. Winners from that go on to the national competition in Washington, D.C. in September.
Libby Smith is a Special Projects Producer at CBS4. If you have a story you'd like to tell CBS4 about, call 303-863-TIPS (8477) or visit the News Tips section.
