VYH is delighted to announce our 2017 Young Achiever is Christopher Heard! Chris is an active member of the Achieving Independence Center and has displayed self-sufficiency in a myriad of ways in the time VYH has worked with him.

In the fall, Chris participated in Power Corps programming in addition to his work with the AIC, where he worked diligently to beautify the city of Philadelphia for 6 months. Chris contributed 900 hours of service toward park beautification and worked hard to earn an OSHA Construction Industry certificate.

Chris took advantage of his Power Corps connections to launch his career as a businessman by applying and being accepted to the prestigious Year Up program. To date, Chris is the first AIC member to begin the Year Up program, which offers professional development, college-level courses and a high likelihood of job placement in a fortune 500 company.

Chris is a natural leader, looking out for his fellow Power Corps members and ensuring that they arrive on time to each work site energetic and ready to face the day. He also speaks to current AIC members about his experience and encourages them to become involved, and plans to speak to members about Year Up cohort applications next year.

“Chris is loving, motivated and reliable. He is a young man of excellent character. Chris sees his commitments through. He is able to look to the future and understand that the best is yet to come – and every day I see him put in the work to get there,” says his AIC Coach, Eliza.

Congratulations, Chris, on being named the 2017 Young Achiever!