Long before systems were designed to serve us equitably, our communities built the spaces our children needed to grow, learn and thrive. Churches opened their doors for youth programs and mentorship. Living rooms became spaces for guidance and accountability. Community centers, school gyms, and neighborhood blocks transformed into places where young people could learn who they were, who they could become, and who was standing with them.
This is not new work.
This is legacy.
It is a tradition rooted in care, consistency, and a belief that every young person carries potential that deserves to be nurtured.
The closing of the Ransburg YMCA on Indianapolis’ east side is a reminder of just how important those spaces are. For more than 60 years, the facility served as a place where young people could participate in sports, connect with mentors and spend time in a safe environment after school. It became part of the neighborhood’s fabric.
When a space like that disappears, the impact is felt immediately. Families begin searching for new programs. Young people lose a place where they felt seen and supported. Staff and volunteers who dedicated themselves to youth development are forced to find new ways to continue their work.
For many Black families, spaces like the YMCA have long served as community anchors because they provided something that cannot always be replicated elsewhere: trusted relationships. These relationships help young people develop confidence, resilience and the belief that their futures matter.
But the responsibility for sustaining spaces that support our youth has never belonged to a single organization.
In the Black community, we have always stepped forward to build what our young people need. From neighborhood programs to youth mentorship initiatives, we have created institutions rooted in culture, connection and a shared commitment to the next generation.
This moment calls us to lean into that tradition once again.
Supporting young people requires more than good intentions. It requires investment — of time, resources, and leadership. It means volunteering with organizations that mentor and guide youth. It means corporations and philanthropists are being intentional about directing resources to community-based and Black-led organizations doing the work every day. And it means recognizing that youth development is not simply a program — it is an investment in the future of our communities.
At VOICES Corporation, we see every day what happens when young people are surrounded by environments that nurture their potential. When youth are given opportunities to lead, develop new skills, and build relationships with adults who believe in them, they begin to see possibilities for their futures that extend far beyond their circumstances.
These experiences change lives. They strengthen families. And they help communities grow stronger. But sustaining these opportunities requires all of us.
Our culture has always taught us that the next generation is our greatest responsibility. The spaces we create for our young people — whether through mentorship, youth programs, or community leadership — are the places where confidence is built and futures take shape.
The closing of one institution does not diminish the power of that tradition. Instead, it reminds us that our collective commitment to our youth must remain stronger than ever. Because when the community shows up for its young people, their possibilities are limitless.
Kia Wright is the executive director and co-founder of VOICES Corporation, a Black-led, Indianapolis-based nonprofit dedicated to empowering youth and families through culturally sustaining education, healing-centered engagement, and workforce development.
For more news, visit indianapolisrecorder.com.
