‘Planting the seeds that grow’
Nationally recognized speaker, brings story of hope after life of crime and violence to Uniontown
Tyrique Glasgow was shot 11 times during his early years as a drug dealer on the streets of Philadelphia. After spending five years in prison, he decided to become an agent of change.
“My yesterday was a little challenging, and now I’m here to help support a better tomorrow,” said Glasgow, the founder and executive director of the Young Chances Foundation, which focuses on violence reduction and community healing through positive resources and events.
Glasgow was the featured speaker at the Grant Street Summer Program on Friday. Over 40 people, mostly children, listened to his story of growing up involved in street violence, and eventually starting the nonprofit organization after his release in 2012.
“My message is simple, it’s about me and you,” Glasgow said. “For me, it’s about the mental and emotional health of our community, and for you, it’s how are you outreaching into your community to make sure we all have a good day?'”
Uniontown Councilwoman Angela Brown, who oversees the city’s parks department, said she plans to bring more speakers to the program to provide young people with positive role models and foster community engagement.
“Kids need to see someone coming out of difficult circumstances and making something of themselves,” Brown said. “The violence around here has gotten better, but morale and hope still remain issues. We want to inspire change.”
According to the 2024 Fayette County Coroner’s Report, in 2023, one-third of homicides involved males aged 16-20. The county experienced a 20% increase in homicides from 2022 to 2023, and a 200% increase since 2000, with an average of over five homicides annually.
Brown also emphasized the need for inspiration
“I think there’s a lot of lost hope. I hate when people refer to this upcoming generation as a lost generation. These kids are constantly made to feel that if they make a mistake, they’ll do nothing and never amount to anything. That’s what we’re trying to change here today,” she said.
Destiny Molter, one of the event’s organizers, expressed her hope that Glasgow’s story would plant seeds of hope and inspire change.
“I’m raising two teenagers, an 18-year-old and a 15-year-old, and this affects them too,” Molter said. “I’ve seen a lot of these kids grow up and make wrong choices. If I can spark a change before they make a bad decision, that’s what matters.
Glasgow was named the 2022 CNN Hero of the Year and received the Edward J. McLaughlin Award for Distinguished Service to Victims.
Tiffany Blaho, parks supervisor, said she was excited that Glasgow was selected because of his transformation from street involvement to success.
“He was involved in many things but managed to turn his life around. We wanted him to share that story with the community,” she said. “It only takes one mentor to plant a seed.”