Morristown youth rally spreads the word: We care about our kids

Aja Baitey, left, performs with the National Liturgical Dance Network at Our Youth Their Future rally in Morristown. Photo by Scott Schlosser
Aja Baitey, left, performs with the National Liturgical Dance Network at Our Youth Their Future rally in Morristown. Photo by Scott Schlosser
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By Ben Burgess

Loudspeakers pumped, burgers sizzled and smiles flashed over the weekend at Morristown’s Cauldwell Playground, scene of the fourth annual youth rally by Our Youth Their Future.

Co-founded in October 2010 by Councilwoman Toshiba Foster and other area moms, the event began in response to a local teen’s suicide. The idea was to reach out to Morristown youths and let them know they are not alone.

Aja Baitey, left, performs with the National Liturgical Dance Network at Our Youth Their Future rally in Morristown. Photo by Scott Schlosser
Aja Baitey, left, performs with the National Liturgical Dance Network at Our Youth Their Future rally in Morristown. Photo by Scott Schlosser

“The more we can prepare kids, the more they’ll be able to deal with the troubling times that they face in our world,” said Foster.

With an inspiring group of guest speakers and performers, there was plenty of  preparation to go around on Saturday.

After an electrifying dance routine from the National Liturgical Dance Ministry of New Jersey warmed up the crowd, keynote speaker Naim Rudolph stepped on stage to deliver an impassioned anti-bullying speech.

Next came the politically conscious rap duo Kenjex, comprised of brothers Kaleb and Elias Bethune, ages 14 and 11, respectively, who rhymed up a storm while simultaneously producing positive vibes.

According to their father and manager, the Rev. Michael Bethune, that’s the whole idea behind Kenjex.

“We want to give young people an alternative to the rap music that’s poisoning their minds,” he said.

Photos by Scott Schlosser.Please click icon below for captions.

Next up was the eclectic rapping/singing/tap-dancing group Guttah State Records, which had Ty Griffin and Jessie Wiggins Jr. on vocals, and former Morristown’s Got Talent contestant Steve Sainato on tap shoes (and a precariously balanced wooden board, to boot).

Finally, Tyrone Lynch, owner of Mo’Town’s Hair Affair, stepped into the limelight to remind youths that they really can achieve their dreams.

“I’m going to talk to kids about setting goals, staying focused once they set those goals, and being aware of pitfalls,” Lynch said prior to his turn at the microphone. “I also want them to realize the value of education.”

And of course, a little self-promotion never hurts.

“We give the best haircuts on the East Coast!” proclaimed Lynch with a grin.

Mayor Tim Dougherty also stopped by. Our Youth Their Future has helped forge a wonderful sense of community, one that he is happy to be part of, he said.

The mayor received a certificate of appreciation recognizing his Tim Dougherty Children’s Charity Fund, which provided an inflatable bounce house for the rally.

Maria Rivera-Jones of JP Morgan Chase, left, with Toshiba Foster, co-founder of Our Youth Their Future. The fourth annual Our Youth Their Future rally in Morristown. JP Morgan and World Vision donated backpacks filled with school supplies. Photo by Scott Schlosser
Maria Rivera-Jones of JP Morgan Chase, left, with Toshiba Foster, co-founder of Our Youth Their Future. The fourth annual Our Youth Their Future rally in Morristown. JP Morgan and World Vision donated backpacks filled with school supplies. Photo by Scott Schlosser

Long-time Our Youth Their Future supporter Donald Underhill also was recognized for his volunteer efforts with the organization since its inception.

A number of organizations were on hand to let the community know about the many resources available to help with problems large and small.

Sponsors included Atlantic Health Behavioral Services at Morristown Memorial Hospital, New Bridge Services, the Morris County Traumatic Loss Coalition, the Carol G. Simon Cancer Center at Morristown Memorial Hospital, the New Jersey Panthers, and JP Morgan Chase, which teamed with the charitable organization World Vision to supply backpacks full of back-to-school supplies to local kids.

Food was courtesy of the Iron Bar, Longfellow’s, Blimpie and George & Martha’s American Grille.

A basketball tournament rounded out the festivities. The blazing heat was no match for these aspiring (and perspiring) stars!

Our Youth Their Future recently achieved nonprofit status, and that is prompting Foster to dream bigger for the organization’s future.  A partnership with JP Morgan will yield free public workshops on financial literacy in the fall, she said.

Asked if these rallies are making an impact on Morristown kids, Foster smiled and gestured towards a group of children happily ducking and dodging between throngs of rally-goers.

“We get more support every year,” said Foster. “We’re really inspiring kids to keep going.”

Ben Burgess, a 2012 graduate of Morristown High School, plays bass with Timeless Jazz and was a finalist in last year’s MorristownGreen.com Film Festival. He attends Carnegie Mellon University and is interning at MG this summer.

MORE ABOUT ‘OUR YOUTH THEIR FUTURE’


‘Kenjex’ video by Scott Schlosser

 

 

 

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