Amplify 502 Youth Awards recognize teens and young adults who have overcome obstacles

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WAVE) – The Office of Safe and Healthy Neighborhoods on Sunday recognized young people who have proven they are more than the challenges they have faced in life.

Amplify 502 Youth is a city-run mentoring program for teens and young adults ages 13-24 who have overcome challenges early in life.

For the program's first-ever Amplify 502 Youth Awards, 73 young people representing 73 of Louisville's 77 zip codes were chosen to be honored for their success despite the obstacles they overcame.

One of the recipients was Jacobe Daugherty. After facing her own mental health issues, Daugherty started a nonprofit organization called Talented Minds, which helps young athletes improve their mental health.

He hopes to inspire other young people to avoid resorting to violence.

“You can be whoever you want to be,” Daugherty said. “You don’t have to be a thug, you don’t have to be a killer. You can start a nonprofit like we do, you can be in the NBA, you can be in the NFL, you can do whatever you want.”

Another beneficiary is ninth-grader Madison Rutledge, who was born with health problems including chronic lung disease and pulmonary hypertension.

“They said she wouldn't be able to walk, she wouldn't be able to talk, but she overcame everything,” Madison's mother, Paula Roarx, said.

In 2020, Madison underwent a double lung transplant, but her body rejected it. Roarx says she has six months to a year to live.

“We just want her to be home, filled with love, finishing everything she can do with this life that she's been given,” Roarx said.

Through it all, she says Madison never slowed down and always stayed positive.

She says she's proud to see Madison recognized for her unwavering spirit, which continues to make her proud every day.

“She has great faith in God,” Roarx said. “We know God has a miracle for her, she’s very strong. She’s just the brightest of them all.”

You can learn more about Amplify 502 Youth here.

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