!Siempre Adelante! Day 9: Meet Saul & Prodigies

Name: Saul Zayas

Age:19 years old

Role at NSNP: Prodigies Director

Time Involved at NSNP: 5 Years!

Where I am from:  North Philly (Norris Square!)

VIDEO OF THE DAY: MEET SAUL

In April of 2008, Prodigies launched their silk-screening business with a line of anti-violence t-shirts. Since then, the youth-driven program has expanded as youth explore silk screening, documentary videos, beats and nontraditional media as methods of social transformation.

Prodigies members describe themselves as the following: We are a group of youth that have a business silk screening t-shirts in North Philly at Norris Square Neighborhood Project. We design, silk screen and sell shirts. We do business with organizations, schools and businesses. We are not rich, but we are not poor. We are like many others in this world who get just enough to get by. We take classes to gain experience for our future careers. We do this because:

-we want to grow our business and become successful, inspiring adults;

-we want everyone to see the prodigy in themselves;

-we want to be role models for kids, because they are the future;

-we want to show other youth that they can make money making a difference;

-and we want to show adults that youth care about positive work.

Saul has named several people involved with NSNP that have inspired him as positive role models over the year: Elliot Ruiz (a young film actor from Norris Square), Meagan Messner (former NSNP staffer) and Cathryn Carkhuff (former NSNP staffer and co-founder of Prodigies).* Saul has his own t-shirt line named “Natural Instincts” that he sells at a local shop, Swagga House.

* Saul once said that his favorite musician was John Denver. We wonder if he still would say that…

* Saul has been taking classes at Community College of Philadelphia and plans to transfer to a 4-year school so he can study art & design.

* Saul wrote in a journal when he was 15 years old, “I hate this place. They make us do stuff.” As he laughs about that now, he’s the one that’s make youth “do stuff“.

“Saul Zayas has had several roles in his participation at Norris Square. He has proven leadership above expectations in his work as a teacher’s assistant, his volunteering in child care and NSNP special events, his participation and ownership in Prodigies, and his four years of participation in our summer youth works positions.

In all of these roles, Saul Zayas has proven himself a dedicated, qualified leader passionate about the development of young people and his community. I believe he is an asset to this community organization and the position of Prodigies Director.” -Cathryn Carkuff, Previous Prodigies Co-Director

“Prodigies members are concerned with violence and drugs in their community so we use silkscreening to redivine cool and spire positivity in other youth.” -Prodigies Youth

“Saul is so nice. He just helps out when asked.” -Evelyn Matos, NSNP Staff

“Saul is incredibly intelligent and inspiring. When I ask people for money to support us- I want him by my side.” -Reed Davaz McGowan, Executive Director

Question of the day:

Tell us how youth make a positive change in your community.

To share your answers, post them below in our comments section!