Ayden, a Washington Union High School senior, transformed a civics class project into a meaningful mission to support justice-impacted individuals re-entering society. Inspired by his teacher, Brian Miller, and driven by a lifelong passion for helping others, Ayden collected, cleaned, and prepared clothes for a consignment sale at Just Between Friends. Despite a few pinpricks while securing items, he meticulously priced and tagged each piece over weeks of dedicated work.
His efforts culminated in a $200 gift card for Fasteners Inc., which he gave to JR, a recent graduate of the IBT 200 program now working in the solar industry. Through research, Ayden learned about the challenges of re-entry, shifting his perspective. “I realized these people deserve a second chance,” he said. Seeing JR’s gratitude reinforced Ayden’s belief that compassion can challenge stereotypes and foster hope.
Ayden’s story shows how small acts create big ripples. He hopes to inspire others to see justice-impacted individuals as people with potential. “I enjoyed meeting people and feeling good about the outcome,” he said, laughing about the pinpricks that marked his dedication (his blood and sweat moment). Given the chance, he’d aim bigger, gathering more resources for greater impact. Share Ayden’s story to promote second chances and encourage involvement. To learn more about supporting justice-impacted individuals, get in touch!
