LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A new city-run program aims to honor Louisville's most resilient teens and young adults.

About a year ago, two private citizens asked the Office of Safe and Healthy Neighborhoods about launching a new youth program.

Since then, they've come up with Amplify 502 Youth, which includes every zip code in Louisville. Many local youths often live challenging but overlooked lives.

"That is important to me because I don't want any young person to ever feel like that they are defined by their zip code, where they live or their socioeconomic status," Claudette Patton, who co-founded AMPLIFY 502 Youth with her husband, said.

Claudette Patton owner of Patton Law PLLC grew up in Fairdale. At a young age, someone told her she'd never be a lawyer.

Now, she's making sure teens realize they can overcome inequities and unfortunate circumstances, like deaths in the family or even violence at home.

"We have a lot of youth out there that don't get recognized because they might not be that straight A student. So, they won't qualify for other programs that get local recognition and TV recognition," Patton said. "So, let's recognize our leaders for everything that they embody, not just grades."

With the help of the Office for Safe and Healthy Neighborhoods (OSHN), she launched Amplify 502 Youth.

The new program will recognize people between the ages 13 and 24 for overcoming adversity.

"Showing them recognition will kind of allow them to say okay, I can do more than my circumstance I can be more than my circumstances," Gavin Myers, a Louisville Metro Youth Cabinet member, said.

Gavin Myers grew up in a loving home but a violent neighborhood.

He said a prime example of someone who could qualify for the program would be someone losing a parent to either COVID or gun violence.

"They kind of have to tag along and provide and be the older sibling whenever they're not. They're not allowed to be children anymore. They have to be young adults," Myers said.

In other words, the kids rarely publicly acknowledged for their strength in handling what life has thrown at them at such a young age.

"You're more than your circumstances and you can do more than your circumstances; and if you continue pushing for your passion, your passion could change everything at home, other than just scraping here, scraping and there," Myers said.

Now, Patton and Myers are asking for your help. They want a teen or young adult nominated from every zip code in Jefferson County.

"It's not just a certificate or a plaque. It's more than that," Patton said. "It's unique to the city because it's a peer-on-peer mentoring."

Each year, those selected will have the chance to also participate in national conferences, local parades, the mayor's night out, and even potentially have the chance to earn the U.S. Congressional Award.

"I hope someone nominates them just so they can allow themselves to be seen and heard," Myers said.

Amplifying Louisville's hidden treasures, in hopes of inspiring other teens to stick with it and stay in it together.

"We hope that then they become a mentor to incoming youth," Patton said.

The program will nominate 73 people because Louisville has 73 zip codes.

The nomination deadline is March 7. To nominate someone, email: YES@louisvilleky.gov, or click here.

Right now, the first nomination ceremony is scheduled for March 22. The city will release more details soon.

For more information, click here.

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