Sunday Conversation: Cayley Mccelos and Alana Daniels Discuss Teen Impact Society and Empowering the Next Generation

As communities across the country wrestle with rising concerns about youth violence, unsupervised gatherings, and proposals for stricter curfews, local youth advocates say the conversation must extend beyond enforcement and include meaningful opportunities for young people.

Among those voices is Cayley Mccelos, founder of Teen Impact Society, a Columbus-based organization dedicated to empowering middle and high school students through leadership development, mentorship, volunteer service and life-skills training. Mccelos said she has mixed feelings about proposals to impose curfews on minors, arguing that while accountability is important, communities must also address the lack of safe and engaging options available to many teenagers.

"I'm not completely opposed to a curfew, but I'm also not prepared to say I fully support it without looking at the bigger picture," McLeod said. "Parents have to take responsibility for knowing where their children are and what they're doing. At the same time, teenagers have to understand that times have changed and that some of the choices being made today can put them in dangerous situations."

Mccelos said she believes young people should not be unsupervised late at night but questioned what alternatives exist for those who are already gathering in public spaces.

"I don't think children should be out after 10 p.m., but realistically, many of them are," she said. "The question becomes: What do they do, and where do they go? That's the part of the conversation that concerns me."

While acknowledging that youth programs are available throughout the community, Mccelos said participation often depends on parental involvement and expectations.

"There are programs and activities available for young people, but parents have to be willing to require their children to participate," she said. "Too often, we give teenagers the option of whether they want to be involved. Sometimes being a parent means saying, 'This is where you're going, and this is what you're going to do.'"

Mccelos also urged community leaders to examine whether existing youth programs are operating at times and on days that best meet the needs of local teenagers.

"People often point to organizations like the Boys & Girls Club as a solution, but we also have to ask whether programs are available when young people need them most," she said. "If we're serious about addressing the issue, we need to look at accessibility, scheduling and creating meaningful opportunities that keep teens engaged and connected to positive environments."

 Recently, Courier Eco Latino spoke with Alana Daniels about Teen Impact Society, its mission, and how the organization is helping meet the challenges facing today's youth.

Courier: Alana, tell us about Teen Impact Society. What is it, and how can young people get involved?

Daniels: Teen Impact Society is a nonprofit organization that works with middle and high school students on a variety of initiatives, but our primary focus is creating safe spaces and meaningful opportunities for young people. We want teens to know they matter, that they have a voice, and that they can make a difference right now—not just when they become adults.

Our students participate in volunteer opportunities throughout Columbus and Phenix City, leadership development activities, civic engagement programs, educational workshops, sports initiatives, and life-skills training. We help them understand what's happening in their communities and how they can become part of positive change.

Courier: With all the recent discussions about youth crime and proposed curfews, how does Teen Impact Society help address those concerns?

Daniels: We believe the answer isn't simply telling young people what not to do. The answer is giving them something positive to do.

Many teens need exposure, guidance, mentorship, and opportunities. We provide those things. Whether it's teaching CPR, connecting students with civic engagement opportunities, exposing them to career paths, or helping them develop leadership skills, we're showing them productive ways to spend their time and invest in their future.

When young people feel seen, heard, and valued, they're more likely to become engaged citizens and community leaders.

Courier: What kinds of programs do participants experience?

Daniels: The opportunities are very diverse. Students can participate in volunteer projects, leadership development, educational workshops, sports activities, community service, and mentorship programs.

We also expose them to different professions and career paths. For example, we bring in health professionals, barbers, entrepreneurs, musicians, and other professionals who teach students about their industries and share real-world skills. We want young people to discover their interests and understand the possibilities available to them.

Courier: Is Teen Impact Society a daily program or something that meets weekly?

Daniels: It varies depending on the activity. Volunteer opportunities happen whenever businesses or organizations need assistance. Sometimes that might be on a Saturday morning. Other times it could be during an evening event.

We stay flexible because we want students to experience real-world opportunities and learn responsibility while serving their communities. The goal is to get them involved whenever meaningful opportunities arise.

Courier: Some volunteer opportunities even provide compensation, correct?

Daniels: Yes. While many volunteer opportunities are unpaid community service projects, some businesses choose to compensate participants for their time. We encourage organizations to invest in young people when possible.

Whether that's paying a stipend, providing meals, offering mentorship, or opening doors for future opportunities, we want students to see that hard work, service, and professionalism have value.

Courier: How did Teen Impact Society get started?

Daniels: We've always worked with young people in different capacities, especially during community events. Eventually, we realized there was a need to provide support and opportunities year-round rather than only during special events.

The vision grew into creating a structured organization where teens could consistently receive mentorship, leadership development, and exposure to experiences that help prepare them for success.

Courier:Tell us about the upcoming summer camp.

Daniels: We're very excited about it. The camp will be held at our event center in North Columbus and runs Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. each day for five weeks.

Registration is open through May 31. The cost is $100 for Teen Impact Society members and $250 for non-members for the entire five-week program.

Throughout the summer, students will learn practical skills, participate in workshops, engage with professionals from various industries, and experience activities designed to help them grow personally and professionally.

Courier: Who will be teaching and mentoring the students?

Daniels: We have more than 50 volunteers supporting the program. They won't all be there at the same time, but they'll rotate through the camp teaching different skills and trades.

Students will learn from healthcare professionals, CPR instructors, barbers, music industry professionals, entrepreneurs, and many others. The idea is to expose them to a wide range of career possibilities and allow them to explore areas that interest them.

At the end of the program, some students will even have the opportunity to showcase what they've learned through demonstrations and pop-up experiences.

Courier: What message would you like to leave with parents and community leaders?

Daniels: Investing in teens is investing in the future. Every successful adult can point to someone who believed in them—a mentor, teacher, coach, parent, or community leader.

Teen Impact Society exists to be part of that support system. When we invest in young people today, we're helping build stronger families, safer neighborhoods, and a better community tomorrow.

Our teens aren't just the future—they're leaders right now. We need partners, sponsors, volunteers, and community members willing to support them and help them succeed.

About Teen Impact Society Teen Impact Society serves students in grades 6-12 and focuses on leadership development, community service, mentorship, life-skills training, volunteer opportunities, and youth empowerment. The organization's mission is to create safe spaces where teens can build confidence, develop character, and become positive agents of change within their communities.