Gabriel, YMCA Birmingham – WINNER
Gabriel came to YMCA Birmingham in November 2016 as a young resident due to fractured relationships at home.
Since living at YMCA he has continuously tried to improve the day-to-day lives of other young people that live there, inspiring others to achieve their full potential.
He is now a motivational speaker, visiting schools to encourage young people to improve their lives. Gabriel passionately advocates for homeless young people.
When he found out about proposed cuts to funding that would directly affect him and his peers he took it upon himself to write an emotive open letter to the Council in response to their consultation.
Gabriel is not only engaged in wider political debates effecting young people, but he also represents YMCA tenants at board meetings and actively seeks to improve the service and the accommodation that is offered.
He has used his entrepreneurial attributes and charm to independently source and nurture partnerships with training providers, local businesses for healthy meal boxes for residents, and sourced music hubs for therapeutic development.
He has made an outstanding contribution to improving the service that young people receive and encouraging them to belong, contribute and thrive.