How We Got Started

How Did Legacy Start?

Legacy was an idea that just started in about 2018 when, founder, Tyanna was taking photos of the high school athletes. Fast forward a couple years and she noticed even more within the cheerleaders a need for a youth center. A lot of the students seemed to want to go on and do more or needed help pursuing something they enjoyed. Unfortunately, a lot of the students seemingly felt hopeless because ‘who would help them’? Tyanna, however, noticed a lot of caring parents and elderly that want to see the youth do something successful which sparked the idea.

A lot of athletes veered more towards focusing on their sport where other students fell in the shadows because they felt they didn’t have much to contribute. If we could find a way to inspire the talents others have and make it accessible for athletes to go further after high school, these kids wouldn’t just need something fun to do on a weekend. Youth could have a place that promotes fun in a good environment.

Why a Youth Center?

While we could just help youth in the community, these youth typically try to find camaraderie with others who have similar interests. They need somewhere to belong.

It's Constant

A youth center is a place where youth can belong and go back to as a place of their own. This is a nice, safe, fun environment for them to meet and hangout with others who enjoy the same things they do other than partying.

It's a Hub

Youth can know where to go if they are looking for a way to pursue something. Rather than feeling lost and wondering where to go next, Legacy can be a place that all the resources to help youth can go to one place.

It's an Avenue

The youth center will prayerfully be a place where youth can use it as an avenue to live out service to their community. Being able to practice and perform talents for the service of other people is fulfilling and can be perfect for going further in careers and life.

Going Forward

Since the youth center vision is one that equips and inspires youth, it transformed into an idea to have classes that connect the older generation with the younger generation. Youth want to know simple life skills along with the skills that they might need to do something they're interested in. You know the saying 'It takes a village'? This is an instance where this phrase is the inspiration to the youth center. There are so many talented and knowledgeable people in town that there is no reason youth can't learn from others who want to pass on their legacy.

“The things you do for yourself are gone when you are gone, but the things you do for others remain as your legacy.”

Kalu Ndukwe Kalu

Tyanna’s home life and church family inspired this, as her grandmother has passed down worlds of knowledge while church members have taken her under their wing to train her in her trade, photography. The knowledge that youth can receive from others who are well-versed in trades or simple life-hacks is massive. We want this generation coming up to feel confident about taking that next step into life whatever path they choose.

Then it Grew

As Tyanna shared this idea with others, she quickly found just how many people wanted to see this in the community. There was no doubt that there would be people backing the idea if she pursued this endeavor. Although it has taken several years for the idea to fully form behind Legacy, there have been so many people who contributed invaluable knowledge and suggestions to this center. Legacy is already living up to it’s name as it has been built and molded through community and the collective ideas of so many wonderful people.

We are extremely excited to really get the ball rolling on the youth center and to see how it grows. As the years go by, we know that Legacy will continue to flow and mold to the community’s and youth’s needs. There are already so many people who are inspired and we hope that Legacy will continue to inspire empower. We pray for God to continue to bless our endeavors and all the people involved.

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Tyanna Wilson

Legacy was founded
to give youth a place to belong &
connect the community.

We exist to give youth a place that they can call their own and learn how they fit into the larger community. Youth should have every opportunity to find where they fit and make a mark where they can.