5 Awards - 5 Days
Countless Lives Changed

The Promise Awards is the World Youth Clubs premier global recognition program celebrating outstanding achievements in youth development across our worldwide network. Now in its fifth year, this prestigious initiative honors the leaders, programs, organizations, and young people creating extraordinary impact in clubs and communities around the world.

The 2025 Promise Awards - Recap
2025 Promise Awards Day 1
Club Professional Of The Year

2025 Promise Awards Day 1

Day 1 - Full Program
Club Professional Of The Year

Every day, across the world, youth development professionals dedicate their lives to helping young people grow, dream, and lead. The Club Professional Of The Year Award honors those who go above and beyond - empowering youth with resilience, confidence, and purpose.

We're excited to start the Promise Awards with our fantastic guest host, Ernie Hudson. He will reveal the finalists and winner of the World Youth Clubs - Club Professional of the Year.

2025 Club Professional Of The Year - Winner

Dr.  Emmanuel Tawiah
Boys and Girls Clubs of Ghana

From Boys and Girls Clubs of Ghana, Dr. Emmanuel Tawiah embodies service in its purest form. A former Club youth turned physician, he now provides free medical care, mentorship, and career guidance to hundreds of young people. His compassion and advocacy make him a true model of giving back.

2025 Club Professional Of The Year - Finalist

Mirjeta Domi
Edu Act Albania

From Edu Act Albania, Mirjeta Domi has spent more than 30 years empowering young people through education and innovation. Her vision has opened doors for girls in science and technology and continues to inspire a generation of learners to dream bigger.

2025 Club Professional Of The Year - Finalist

Ahmed Muusa Mahad
Somali Youth Open Organization (SOYO)

From the Somali Youth Open Organization, Ahmed Muuse is building peace and possibility for youth across Somalia. Through programs that combine education, sports, and vocational training, he gives young people purpose and tools to rebuild their communities.

2025 Promise Awards Day 2
Excellence in Volunteer Service

2025 Promise Awards Day 2

Day 2 - Full Program
Excellence in Volunteer Service

Around the world, volunteers are the heartbeat of youth development - the quiet heroes who give their time, their energy, and their hearts to help young people thrive. The Excellence in Volunteer Service Award honors those whose dedication and spirit embody the mission of World Youth Clubs - to inspire, guide, and empower youth everywhere.

Hear from Kay Rawlins - Sr. Vice President & Club Ambassador to Orlando City and Orlando Pride as we honor those who give selflessly to uplift youth.

2025 Excellence in Volunteer Service - Winner

William Sekyi
Boys and Girls Clubs of Ghana

From the Boys and Girls Clubs of Ghana, William Sekyi has turned his college breaks into a mission of service. Each semester, he returns home to teach children - devoting days and evenings to helping them learn, grow, and believe in their own potential.

2025 Excellence in Volunteer Service - Finalist

Ray and Rita Williams
Thaxted Youth Club, England

From Essex Boys and Girls Clubs - Thaxted Youth Club in England, Ray and Rita Williams have dedicated more than three decades to building a safe, joyful space for young people. Together, they prove that lasting impact is built through love, consistency, and community.

2025 Excellence in Volunteer Service - Finalist

Leila Maxamud
Somali Youth Open Organization (SOYO)

From the Somali OpenYouth Organization, Leila Maxamud is a pillar of hope and empowerment for Somali youth. Through her advocacy for education and gender equality, she mentors young girls, builds safe learning spaces, and mobilizes volunteers to improve their communities.

2025 Promise Awards Day 3
Club Program Of The Year

2025 Promise Awards Day 3

Day 3 - Full Program
Club Program Of The Year

Around the world, youth club programs are transforming lives - helping young people gain skills, build confidence, and discover their purpose. The Club Program of the Year Award celebrates initiatives that go beyond learning - programs that ignite hope, inspire leadership, and create lasting change.

Join us on day 3 as Achok Majak - WYC Global Ambassador and International Fashion Model, helps celebrate us our Club Program of the Year.

2025 Club Program Of The Year - Winner

Twezimbe Youth Skilling Program
Twezimbe Africa, Uganda

From Twezimbe Africa in Uganda, the Twezimbe Youth Skilling Program transforms lives through practical training and mentorship. This innovative program equips vulnerable youth - many from the streets - with skills in cookery, carpentry, and hairdressing, while nurturing emotional healing and leadership.

2025 Club Program Of The Year - Finalist

Empowering Young Women
Club de Nińos y Nińas de Nuevo León, ABP, and BGC Wales

From BGC Wales and Club de Niños y Niñas de Nuevo León, Mexico, the Empowering Young Women program connects girls across continents to champion gender equality. Through leadership training, creative expression, and intercultural exchange, it inspires a new generation of young women to break barriers and become global change-makers.

2025 Club Program Of The Year - Finalist

Youth Peace & Skills Empowerment
Somali Youth Open Organization (SOYO)

From the Somali Open Youth Organization, the Youth Peace & Skills Empowerment Program builds a foundation for peace and prosperity. Combining vocational training, entrepreneurship, and conflict resolution, this holistic program empowers youth to become leaders of unity.

2025 Promise Awards Day 4
Affiliate Of The Year

2025 Promise Awards Day 4

Day 4 - Full Program
Affiliate Of The Year

At World Youth Clubs, we believe every young person deserves a place to belong - a place that nurtures potential, inspires dreams, and builds tomorrow’s leaders. The Affiliate of the Year Award honors the clubs that go above and beyond to create those spaces - where hope, opportunity, and transformation come to life.

Join Beau Bridges, Actor and World Youth Clubs Global Ambassador on Promise Awards day 4 in celebrating the Affiliate of the Year!

2025 Affiliate Of The Year - Winner

La Fundación Mission Clubs
Panama

From Panama, La Fundación Mission Clubs is transforming its community through faith, education, and service. What began as a small program has grown into a daily refuge for more than 200 youth - offering education, mentorship, and nourishment for both body and soul.

2025 Affiliate Of The Year - Finalist

The Weaver International School
Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo

In Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo, The Weaver International School provides safety, education, and hope in one of the world’s most challenging environments.

2025 Affiliate Of The Year - Finalist

Boys and Girls Clubs of Ghana
Ghana

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Ghana are creating safe, supportive spaces for over 10,000 young people across the country. Their programs in education, leadership, and entrepreneurship are helping youth break barriers and build confidence for a brighter future.

2025 Promise Awards Day 5
Youth Of The Year

2025 Promise Awards Day 5

Day 5 - Full Program
Youth Of The Year

Representing Hiran Youth Council in Mogadishu, Somalia, Hamdi inspires her community through unity and action. She leads with empathy and courage, dedicating her time to programs that bring youth together across divides, teaching the values of teamwork, peace, and progress.

2025 Youth Of The Year - Winner

Samuel
Metro Detroit Youth Clubs

From Metro Detroit Youth Clubs in the United States, Samuel exemplifies the power of perseverance and purpose. A mentor to his peers, Samuel’s leadership is rooted in resilience - using his own story to inspire others to stay focused, serve their community, and reach higher.

2025 Youth Of The Year -Finalist

Hamdi
Hiran Youth Council - Mogadishu, Somalia

Representing Hiran Youth Council in Mogadishu, Somalia, Hamdi inspires her community through unity and action. She leads with empathy and courage, dedicating her time to programs that bring youth together across divides, teaching the values of teamwork, peace, and progress.

2025 Youth Of The Year -Finalist

Sacdia
Somali Youth Open Organization (SOYO)

From the Somali Youth Open Organization, Sacdia stands as a beacon of hope for girls and young people across Somalia. Passionate about education and equality, she works tirelessly to empower her peers through learning, service, and advocacy.

2025 Promise Award Categories
Youth Of The Year
Celebrating young leaders who exemplify the promise of youth
The Youth of the Year Award recognizes exceptional young people who demonstrate year-round leadership skills, resilience, determination, academic progress, and community engagement. These young leaders serve as role models for peers and as future leaders in their communities.
Who Can Be Nominated:
Young people who exemplify leadership and character in WYC programs
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Selection Criteria:
1. Demonstrated Leadership and Initiative: The nominee has shown consistent leadership through participation in year-round programs and has taken initiative to make a positive impact within the Club and broader community.
2. Positive Role Model Behavior: The nominee consistently exemplifies strong character, responsibility, and integrity, serving as a role model for peers and younger Club members.
3. Community and Club Representation: The nominee effectively represents the values and mission of the Club in both internal and external settings, engaging with the broader community in a respectful and inspiring way.
Affiliate Of The Year
Honoring an Affiliate Club that exemplifies excellence in youth development
At World Youth Clubs, we believe youth deserve environments that nurture their potential, encourage their ambitions, and equip them with skills for success. This award recognizes an Affiliate that serves as a beacon of hope, providing a safe haven where youth can thrive, pursue dreams, and become tomorrow's leaders.
Who Can Be Nominated:
WYC Affiliate Clubs that show extraordinary effectiveness and impact.
Selection Criteria:
1. Excellence in Creating a Nurturing and Empowering Environment: The Affiliate demonstrates exceptional commitment to providing a safe, supportive space where youth can grow, pursue ambitions, and build essential life skills.
2. Impactful Use of Global Network and Resources: The Affiliate actively engages with the World Youth Clubs network - collaborating, sharing best practices, and utilizing tools and expert guidance to elevate its local impact.
3. Transformational Outcomes for Youth: The Affiliate shows clear, measurable outcomes in transforming young people's lives - such as leadership development, educational progress, community engagement, or personal resilience.
Club Program Of The Year
Celebrating innovative, impactful programs that transform young lives
World Youth Clubs provides access to structured programs that promote educational achievement, vocational skills, emotional and physical well-being, leadership development, and social responsibility. The Program of the Year award recognizes initiatives that exemplify excellence in creating environments where youth thrive.
Who Can Be Nominated:
Exceptional programs run by WYC Affiliates that demonstrate outstanding results in holistic youth development.
Selection Criteria:
1. Holistic Youth Development: The program demonstrates clear goals that significantly contribute to growth in multiple areas - such as education, vocational training, emotional/physical well-being, and leadership - with measurable results and evidence of success.
2. Engagement Through Enriching Activities: The program effectively utilizes sports, arts, leadership, or community service to foster teamwork, communication, creativity, and social responsibility, engaging youth in meaningful ways that develop essential life skills.
3. Safe, Supportive, and Inclusive Environment: The program consistently provides a safe and welcoming space that encourages friendship, belonging, and positive relationships among youth from diverse backgrounds, ensuring all participants feel valued and respected.
Excellence In Volunteer Service
Honoring the dedication of volunteers who drive our global mission forward
Volunteers are the lifeblood of youth development organizations worldwide. This award recognizes outstanding volunteers whose work embodies the spirit and mission of World Youth Clubs to inspire, guide, and empower young people.
Who Can Be Nominated:
Outstanding volunteers who have made significant contributions to youth-serving programs.
Selection Criteria:
1. Sustained Commitment and Reliability: The volunteer demonstrates long-term dedication and consistent involvement, providing dependable support across programs and initiatives.
2. Initiative and Leadership in Volunteer Roles: The volunteer goes beyond assigned tasks to lead, innovate, or improve youth programs and volunteer operations, showing exceptional problem-solving skills and the ability to inspire others.
3. Advocacy and Representation of Youth Causes: The volunteer actively raises awareness, builds partnerships, or represents youth-focused missions in broader forums or communities, amplifying impact beyond direct service.
Club Professional Of The Year
Recognizing professionals who dedicate their careers to empowering young people
Youth Development Professionals play an integral role in helping young people unlock their potential. This award celebrates staff members who consistently go above and beyond to foster resilience, confidence, and vision in the youth they serve.
Who Can Be Nominated:
Youth development professionals who demonstrate exceptional dedication and impact.
Selection Criteria:
1. Demonstrated Impact on Youth Empowerment: The staff member has significantly contributed to helping young people unlock their potential, whether through mentorship, education, leadership development, or skills training, with clear evidence of positive outcomes.
2. Commitment to Support and Guidance: The staff member consistently provides reliable, compassionate support to youth, acting as a role model who fosters resilience and confidence in others through both challenging and celebratory times.
3. Promotion of a Vision for a Better Future: The staff member inspires and motivates young people to pursue their dreams, actively contributing to initiatives or programs that create lasting positive change in their communities and beyond.
2025 Promise Awards Selection Committee
Ernie Hudson
Actor & Executive Producer
Karolyn “Sue” Foreman
Community Activist, Fund Raiser, Collaborative Design Enthusiast
Ixchell Duarte
Group Chief Financial Officer and SVP - CNL Financial Group
Peg Cornwell
Associate to the President for College and Community Relations at Rollins College
Vanessa Victoriá
Director of Family Office, Demetree Global
Kay Rawlins
Sr. Vice President and Club Ambassador, Orlando City and Orlando Pride
Dr. Mona Dixon
Empowerment Leader, Entrepreneur, Motivational & Fundraising Speaker
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my organization be nominated for more than one award?
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What are the Promise Awards?
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How many Promise Awards are there in 2025, and what are the categories?
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Have there been any changes to the program since last year?
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Who can nominate a person or program for the Promise Awards?
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How do I submit a nomination?
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What information should I include in the nomination?
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My organization received a Promise Award in a previous year. Are we eligible to apply again in 2025?
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Is my organization eligible for the Affiliate of the Year Award?
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Who is eligible for the Club Professional of the Year Award?
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Who is eligible for the Excellence in Volunteer Service Award?
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Who is eligible for the Youth of the Year Award?
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Is the program at my youth organization eligible for the Club Program of the Year Award?
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How are Promise Award recipients selected?
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What is the award process?
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When are nominations open?
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How can I find out who is named a 2025 Promise Award winner or finalist?
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Who can I contact with more questions?
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2024 Promise Award Winners

2024 Program of The Year

Teen Counseling Program
Club de Niños y Niñas de Nuevo León A.B.P. México

The Teen Counseling Program addresses adolescent struggles, particularly the lack of access to upper secondary education. This program has achieved remarkable success, despite facing obstacles such as a lack of economic resources in the community and pressure from organized crime.

One of the program’s most noteworthy strengths is its ability to adapt and respond to the changing needs of teenagers in difficult situations. This program provides a safe and confidential space where young people can express their concerns, receive emotional support, and learn important life skills like self-awareness, empathy, assertive communication, interpersonal relationships, decision-making, problem-solving, creative thinking, and critical thinking so they can be adequately prepared to face life’s challenges. The program not only focuses on teenagers but also involves their families to ensure that the youth have a solid support system during the personal development process. In the future, this program will focus on increasing its reach to more adolescents in the community through promotion and outreach in schools, community centers, and local media.

2024 Staff of The Year

Olga Ramos
United States of America

Ms. Olga Ramos, President of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Puerto Rico, is a notable nominee for the Promise Award due to her outstanding leadership and commitment to growth. With over twenty-five years of experience as an accountant and lawyer, Ms. Ramos has made significant improvements to the organization since she became President in 2017. Under her leadership, revenue has doubled, and the range of services expanded to include both early childhood and adult programs. Despite facing challenges such as pandemics and natural disasters, she has led the organization to accomplish strategic goals while fostering a supportive environment for her staff.

Ms. Ramos is known for her approachable and caring leadership style. She’s also actively involved in all aspects of the organization, from visiting clubs to engaging directly with the youth and staff. She shows a strong commitment to professional development by actively creating growth opportunities and encouraging staff to get involved in community activities. By focusing, listening and practicing effective collaborative skills, she makes sure that the feedback from both participants and staff are included in shaping the organization’s programs and goals.

2024 Youth of the Year

Cruz Denzel Tabares Buentello
Club de Niños y Niñas de Nuevo León A.B.P. México

Since the age of six, Cruz has been an active member of the Club de Niños y Niñas de Nuevo León A.B.P, consistently excelling in all activities. He has motivated many peers to join and actively participate in the club’s activities. He is in his 6th semester at the College of Scientific and Technological Studies, focused on his goal of studying finance at Tecnologico de Monterrey. This academic focus demonstrates not only his strong intellectual abilities but also his long-term vision to positively impact his community.  

When he is not studying in college, he is working on transformative environmental projects. One recent project he worked on is called “Plantatio Vitae,” a reforestation project that reflects his ability to turn ideas into tangible actions. His strong commitment to the environment and thirst for knowledge set him apart from others, as well as his consistent positive attitude and unrelenting determination. He is a true agent of change and a natural leader who is determined to generate a positive impact through his leadership and commitment to social and environmental well-being. He has shown an uncanny ability to lead community efforts, while inspiring other young people to get involved and become aware of the importance of sustainability. Cruz conducts his own workshop in which he educates other youth on topics such as reforestation, climate change, and individual steps that can contribute to bettering the environment, using interactive and practice methods.

2024 Volunteer of The Year

Seraphin Mutabazi Kamutera
Weaver School, DRC

Seraphin, a Congolese residing in Goma, D.R. Congo, has been instrumental in establishing the Weaver School, where he serves as the school’s advisor and counselor. Seraphin helps students with psychological barriers by holding counseling sessions with them. He has also helped to solve cultural issues at the school due to the multicultural environment with his effective conflict resolution and counseling skills, promoting a sense of togetherness. As a result of Seraphin’s efforts, he has fostered an environment of peace and friendship, where differences are respected.

The Weaver School has been a tremendous help for vulnerable children lacking formal education. Eight years ago, Seraphin facilitated the creation of schools so that underprivileged children could acquire the education they deserved. Without the use of financial aid, Seraphin has engaged local church members to support the school’s daily operations. The Weaver School began with eighty-five vulnerable children in 2016. This initiative has become an operation that hosts the most vulnerable children in Goma. Thanks to Seraphin’s leadership skills, the school has become a safer environment where students are pushed to excel in their classes and reach their full potential.

2024 Promise Awards Honorable Mentions
Empowerment of Women
Program of the Year
Education First Initiative
Program of the Year
Weaver Warriors
Program of the Year
Ensemble Youth Company
Program of the Year
Juan Camarillo Zúñiga
Youth of the Year
Amelia Natalia Lara Mejía
Volunteer of the Year
Charles Acquah Dadzie
Volunteer of the Year
Monica Sanchez Castañeda
Staff of the Year
Kai Leighton
Staff of the Year
Promise Awards Hall of Fame

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