Boss Moves provides positive role models for youth

A group of young adults has banned together to make sure younger generations take the positive steps needed to have a bright future.

“Boss Moves was originally designed to help mentor kids,” said President Tyree Madden. “We keep them motivated to stay on the right track in school with their grades.”

Madden said their group helps teach local youth to build character.

“We have meetings and gatherings to talk about school and respecting themselves and others,” he said. “We discuss careers and jobs. As a group, we work together to come up with ideas for future events.”

Founder Towana King said she was always drawn to helping young children be the best they could be. She has been a mentor and guiding hand for children of all ages and decided to share that responsibility with other role models.

“We know that helping others helps us, too.”
– Boss Moves president Tyree Madden

“We all wanted something different in the community for the kids, so we all came up with our very first event, the Spring Shakedown,” said King. “It became a huge event and the outcome was very successful.”

Boss Moves was then born.

“Those of us who came together for that event decided to become an organization and we called ourselves Boss Moves,” said Madden.

He said being a part of the crew has helped them to become the adults they are today.

“Our parents always teach us about respect, making better decisions and to carry ourselves in a certain way,” said Madden. “We put everything that our parents taught us in one big group and we became wellmannered, very respectful, very intelligent and always positive.”

Madden said the organization has helped them decide what it is they want in life and the best way to go about achieving those goals. They pass this wisdom on to younger people to help them see that anything is possible.

“We know that helping others helps us, too,” he said. “We are leaders, we think for ourselves and we make better decisions. We do not let anything negative get in our way.”

Boss Moves is composed of members ranging in age from 12-18 including some high school students, some new college enrollees and a few entering military services. Of 20 members, two are in the U.S. Navy, one is in the U.S Airforce, 12 are in college and five are still in high school, said King.

“We have also just recruited 15 new members aged 12-18,” said Madden. “It really means a lot to us to see how the younger kids look up to us and want to become Boss Moves members. We enjoy giving them something positive to be a part of. Just seeing the positive impact we have on the younger kids gives us a purpose.”

King said she has hopes to one day see a community center here where all the children can come together.

Boss Moves organizes community events aimed at providing services to local youth as well as entertaining the children in a safe, comforting environment.

“We’ve sponsored summer events to keep our kids off the streets,” said King. “We have provided school supplies and vouchers for free hair cuts to get the students ready to return to school.”

Madden said they have also organized an annual Easter egg hunt and a trunk or treat Halloween event. Future events will possibly include a ‘glow party’ in November.

“During the month of December, we visit all of the nursing homes and the veterans home to ensure each resident receives a Christmas gift,” said Madden.

King said her mission is to mend the broken ties that are so evident throughout the City of Jennings.

“With seeing all of the negative things that affect young adults all over the world is depressing, but to see a group of young adults pushing other kids to do better in school is a very big thing to the world,” said King. “It lets the youth know that they do have choices.”