[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2008/images/06/10/art.tucker.ypwr.jpg caption=”Tiffany Tucker, 25, is the founder of Redemption, a youth empowerment organization based in Brooklyn, New York.”]Tiffany Tucker’s smile beats her into any room. Her smile gets even brighter when she says, “the door is always open!” That door refers to one that goes into her brainchild, Redemption.
She thinks everyone in her community in Brooklyn, New York, including herself, deserves the chance to be saved or rescued. Tucker, 25, was raised by a single mom, and she knows that New York City’s streets can be mean. But she didn’t let them swallow her, and if it’s up to her, no other young person will be swallowed, either.
Redemption promotes self-esteem and leadership skills for kids 13 to 19 years old. Tucker’s program has offered more than 3,000 urban kids and teens life skills workshops, college coaching and one-on-one counseling. According to Tucker, her open-door policy has led to a huge success rate: 85 percent of students in the mentorship program have graduated from high school and signed up for higher education.
Update: Watch the CNN.com Live interview
Young People Who Rock 
Young Lady, reading about you made my day. People critisize the US and it’s young people. Keep proving them wrong…
Best
As I am reading this brief comment about your effort, I am sincerely moved. I am a first generation immigrant and have a first hand knowledge of what it means to be at the bottom. It saddens me to see a lot of our youths in this city and the country at large being swallowed up as you put it. Thank you very much for your efforts and I hope others will follow in your footsteps. May God be with you always.
Have you or can you consider developing youth to join and sing in the Brooklyn Terbernacle Choir or just start a youth Brooklyn Terbenecle Choir for recreation purposes….
Also would you consider having a TV program on JCTV or TBN. It would be great to have and see Redemption as a TV program Internaionaly.
Lastly would you like to help others around the world start Redemption Youth Clubs all around the world. I sure can use your advice in South Africa, Durban!
Thanx
Tiffany,
How did you get started? I think something like this would work in my city as well. I’d been thinking about something similare to this for my community.
Tiffany: Way to go!! I’m from Bklyn too, I know how hard it can be to go against the pull of so many negative influences. Your mom must be proud. I am curious: These days, are these kids online, involved with computers like their suburban counterparts? What are the biggest challenges facing these kids today? And are you planning to expand your program? Good luck — and good job!
Very intersted in helping out on an awesome fund-raiser program…review @ http://www.passport2giving.com. Let’s make this happen!!
Kevin Vaughan, Certified Specialist
Hello Ms. Tucker,
I am considering doing something similar to your foundation with the youth in my hometown. Can you give me any ideas on how and where to start?
Ms. Tucker, you are to be congratulated for giving so willingly of your time to help others. What inspired you to reach out and mentor the young people in your community?
I think this is Wonderful I would like to host a organization like this in my home town Lawton Oklahoma
I would just like to take this opportunity to say how proud I am to have known this young lady way back in Bildersee days. I know I am probably one of many I.S. 68 alumni to tell you this, as you are located not too far from the school, but congratulations on your efforts to make the youth of our borough better. You truly do rock.
Andrew , Bildersee ’97
Way to give back at such a young age! It truly takes a village (nation) to raise a child.
Fantastic job Tiffany! What is your next challenge in life to help others? I see you have a great smile. I bet the kids of Brooklyn will also share that smile with you. Congratulations on your achievement
Tiffany – THANK YOU FOR ALL THAT YOU ARE DOING! I heartily commend you and your organization. Thsi is a true inspiration to people of all ages! The seeds that are being sown in the lives of each person that flows through your program will reap a bountiful harvest of the same caring, commitment and success that you have poured in.
All the best for continued success! And again Thank you!!!
Nicole
Denver, CO
Tiffany, this story really touched my heart to see a young adult doing something positive to inspire teenagers. In this day in time we really need more young people like you. Much success and may God Richly Bless your efforts.
Good job
Tiffany,
First and foremost, congratulations on your success and running a truly worthwhile endeavor.
I live and work in Brooklyn. My question for you is a simple one: What do you need to keep going? In other words, if someone in Brooklyn wanted to help…what would you need them to do?
Best,
J,
A young person who empowers other young people is phenomenal! I see so many bad things from young people in my own community and on the local news that I become nervous about the future sometimes. I am only 37. I only hope that the kids that she’s helped go on to help others. We could use a million more like her.
Way to go! I love this about you. You make the world a better place. I was so glad to learn about you today. I sent your story to all those people who send me emails about what’s wrong with today’s youth. You make every single one of us proud!
Cutie!!
Firstly, I would like to say thank you and congratulations on being a resource and outlet for urban youth. I know many have replied to this post asking how you got started, because they want to do something similar in their communities. I am on the same page with the others. I want to start a similar program in Philadelphia, but I have no idea how to get started. Please provide some insight into how you got started and how you keep the momentum going!
Great job and thanks for having the courage and determination to do something for these kids’ future!
~Mikala Stewart
Philadelphia, PA
Good job Tiffany. Keep up the good work.
Great job Tiffany!!! KEep up the GREAT, OUTSTANDING WORK! The young people need you and we need more like you to take the initiative to similar projects. I am very interested in knowing how you got started and what are your future plans for Redemption?
Your graduation rate is AWESOME! REALLY KEEP IT UP! MAY GOD BLESS
im so glad that u didnt let the streets get 2 u i have a baby father thats from brroklyn and he let the streeeets get to him and he hasnt changed from his teen years and he is 35 and i was wondering y is that but i guess the saying is true some people dont want 2 change right
That’s awesome Tiffiany and keep up the good work. You are a true blessing and always keep it moving no matter what happens.
Peace and Love!!
One more thing!! Barack Obama, I’m sure is very proud of you!!
Thank you for finally sharing a positive story. Tiffany you go girl, it’s going to take people like you to spark the change in the African American community. That will allow you kids & teenagers to understand that yes you can; and all changes must first start with you. Tiffany thank you for your great efforts.
hi tiffany -keep up the good work youare blessed and you are also blessing other people that is love that is needed in all of humanrace today the word of God says is not by might non power but by my sprite says the lord keep in mind always that you can do all things through God who stregthens you God bless.
Thank you for your efforts.
How do you do it?
What allows you to obtain an 85% graduation rate, a rate better than 90% of school systems?
I am orginally from West Philadelphia and came from the housing projects. I now live in Washington State and I am a Coordinator for the Microsoft Corp. I am a prime example of what can happen when you strive for your goals. Thanks to women like yourself who push young folks like I was pushed our community will continue to raise bright stars for the future. Thank you for inspiring me to continue to be an example.
God bless you,
Abdul
Seattle, WA
I just want to say keep up the inspiring work! %85 percent success rate warrants so many congrats!! You are indeed an excellent leader in your community.
Tiffany,
You are definitely a remakable young lady! May God bless you and everything you touch!
Stay encouraged and keep up the great work!!!
Keep up the good work. Your blessing are sure to come. Your generation is what we will need to run a equal world so that every one will have a chance to succeed and be known by the color of their skin.
Tiffany, God bless you – and your mother. In an age where the biggest excuse for non-achievers is that they came from single parent household, you have both shown that discipline, caring and ambition is what it takes to be successful, regardless of how many parents you have. Congratulations and keep up the good work.
This is great news! Please keep u the good work Tiffany. You are an inspiration to young people around the world. Please remember to share your successes so that others may benefit and possible start a similiar work in their neighborhoods.
Be well!
Tiffany
Namaste
You are truly an inspiration and I wish you all the best in your endeavors. It certainly takes a village to raise our children, youths, and young adults.
You are certainly living one of the principles of Kwanza- “Self Determination.” Again, I commend you and hope that our young people in Brooklyn will embrace Redemption.
“You Rock My Sistah” Keep up the good fight.
I am very proud of you and your great accomplishment with Redemption! To be so young but yet so wise and committed in creating this organization and helping others, is truly admirable. I wish you and Redemption nothing but the best in the future to come.
Tiffany, I am so proud of you. I have watched you grow up and I knew you would grow up to make your mark in this world. I used to say it all the time! There is no greater service than the sevice to others. May the Lord continue to bless you and all that you do. May you continue on your path to making a difference in this world. Nuff Respect!
Always good to see AU people/young people doing positive things. Keep the positivity flowing, hope to read more about Redemption.
I love the work that you are doing in the community it is needed.
you go girl …it is a pleasure working with you …I am witness to your greatness ..about time the rest of america did..congrats
You have set a goal and accompolished it and there are not to be many people who live their lives in such a manner. Redemption is creating a foundation and safety net for the youth and I commend that. Good job and continued luck on your quest for great success. Go AU Alumni 🙂
Tiff,
Congrats! You are indeed an inspiration and I wish you much success in every endeavor. Every community needs Redemption.
Respect…
Hi Tiffany,
I saw you on cnn live this morning. Congraualtions on the work you are doing. I think your work is needed all over the world. You are doing great stuff because so many of our teens need to build their confidence up to support acheiving their dreams. Keep it up and God bless you.
I live in the island of Barbados inthe caribbean and would like to aht with you about your proagram. i am strting a programme with young persons next month, helping them to dream again and would be happy to chat with you about your programme for ideas around reach beyond just going through my workshop. I want to impact the entire island. 250k people. My email is as given above. I do hope you have time to email me and hope you can fit in a short skype call.\
Peace and light
Nyahra
Hey! I asked Tiffany what she thought was the big problem facing youth today. She said peer pressure was among the biggest. What do you think? Let’s keep the conversation going.
Great job. I have a similiar program in Phoenix Az
Please e-mail me at onefromthehart@msn.com
Thanks
This are the kind of people that make me hopeful about the youth in this country. Keep it up Tiffany.
You are what I call one great warm hearted person and if you have a website I would love to ad it http://www.culturallycool.com and give it some worldwide attention.
Keep up the great work.
Tiffany you rock””
but ive realized that the problems facing the youth today is lack of mentors in their lives .mentors who are ready to love them n live with them together watching their growth n correcting where necessary.we in Africa are facing a fatherless crisis is good to see someone our age defying the status quo
This response is long over due! Please forgive me for my delayed response, it was not done intentionally.
I had the pleasure of reading each and every comment and I was humbled by it. I am truly grateful to have wonderful people in my life and supporters from across the globe who took the time to encourage me with warm words of love and wisdom.
Redemption was built on the idea of a strong community and I want to thank CNN for giving me and Redemption the opportunity to build upon that vision and expand our network. I welcome all of you to join me at Redemption’s two upcoming events:
1.“Get Your Mind Right” is our 5th Annual back to school event that is happening at Lincoln Terrace Park in Brooklyn on Saturday, September 6th, 2008 from 12pm-5pm. We motivate students to get re-focused to achieve their goals for the upcoming school year. We give FREE: school supplies, food, entertainment, etc…
2.Our 3rd Annual Fundraiser is taking place on Saturday, October 18th, 2008 from 12pm-4pm at the Cadman Plaza Library.
Again, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU ALL!!!! Please feel free to email me at redemptioninc@yahoo.com for any reason….
Tiffany!
You are a phenomenal young lady who has a heart the entire world should admire. Bless you for ALL you do.
I know you have a great deal of mail but if you could give me a heads up on how you got started, any information re: how I could actually start up a similar situation in another state, I would be MOST grateful. You have made the world blossom and grow and anything I can do to be a part of that hope/healing/light for those who feel lost/alone is what I want to do.
Thank you so much again for being wonderful you – bringing so much hope and life to our youth in need.
Reese