A Life-Changing Opportunity, and the Fight for Consistent Grassroots Youth Programming

July 10, 2025

The article highlights a collaborative program called Unleashed Potential, created by Marcelles Queen's organization Representation for the Bottom in partnership with Brandywine Valley SPCA. Malcolm Smith, an 18-year-old from Congress Park, volunteers at the animal shelter twice weekly, learning skills like kennel cleaning, dog training, and animal care that provide him with potential career opportunities and personal development. Queen, a graduate of the Pathways Program within the Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement (ONSE), created the program as part of his ongoing effort to provide positive opportunities for youth in the Congress Park community.

Who is affected

Youth from the Congress Park community, particularly Malcolm Smith
At-risk teenagers and young adults in Washington D.C.
Participants in the Unleashed Potential program
Residents of Congress Park community
Animals at the Brandywine Valley SPCA

What action is being taken

Unleashed Potential program is currently operating with youth visiting the shelter twice weekly
Malcolm Smith and others are volunteering at Brandywine Valley SPCA, learning animal care skills
Marcelles Queen is conducting programming that connects youth with elected officials and community leaders
The D.C. Council is working to solidify the Pathways Program's placement within ONSE
Brandywine Valley SPCA is facilitating animal care training for program participants

Why it matters

The program provides legal income opportunities and potential career paths for at-risk youth
It offers structure and positive activities that help keep young people out of trouble
Participants learn transferable skills that apply to both animal care and personal development
The initiative provides stability to the Congress Park community
It represents a collaborative approach between community organizations and larger institutions
Programs like these offer hope and new experiences to youth from challenging environments

What's next

Smith wants to see Queen's program more active in the ONSE office and expanded to help more youth across the city
The D.C. Council is finalizing fiscal year 2026 budget deliberations in the coming weeks, which could impact violence interruption resources
Queen seeks consistent grant funding to sustain and expand programming for young people

Read full article from source: The Washington Informer