Youth perspectives are essential to creating safer communities. That’s why the Youth Steering Committee (YSC), part of the One Second Collaborative (OSC), empowers young leaders ages 14–24 to take action against youth gun violence in Tarrant County. Representing Fort Worth ISD, Crowley ISD and the University of North Texas, members bring diverse ideas and experiences to the collaborative.
Meeting monthly, the YSC focuses on learning opportunities, awareness projects and shaping a community-driven public safety plan. By amplifying youth voices and integrating their insights with the expertise of the OSC Steering Committee, the YSC finds solutions and brings attention to the impact of gun violence.
Meet the members below and learn how they’re making a difference in creating safer neighborhoods across Tarrant County:
Chastin Crump
After experiencing the fear of a potential school shooting, Chastin joined YSC to take a stand against the devastating effects of gun violence. He enjoys diving into conversations about effective parenting approaches to prevent violence. Chastin is focused on expanding outreach efforts and educating the community through data-driven practices to create lasting change.
Lillie Doze
Passionate about ending the epidemic of gun violence, Lillie sees YSC as a resource-rich group capable of fostering safer communities. She loves that YSC offers real resources to make communities safer and has enjoyed gaining the knowledge and confidence to take action. She’s looking forward to building stronger connections across the community and hopes those connections can foster more empathy and understanding, ultimately leading to peace.
Fernando Galvan
Fernando joined the YSC to learn more about gun safety and help make communities safer. For him, one of the best parts has been connecting with peers and learning from their perspectives. He’s passionate about spreading the word about YSC’s mission and envisions a future where he can support kids from tough households, guiding them toward positive paths and away from gun violence.
Ryland Gray
Motivated by a desire to serve his community, Ryland joined YSC to be part of the effort to reduce gun violence. He enjoys discussing initiatives that address the issue and is focused on building partnerships and lasting relationships within Fort Worth communities. Ryland’s ultimate goal is to get guns off the street completely.
Freddy Hernandez
Freddy’s passion for giving back to the community where he grew up is what inspired him to join YSC. For him, the OSC Youth Gun Violence Prevention Workgroup Summit in February 2024 was a game-changer—it reinforced his commitment to making a difference. Now, Freddy is focused on shining a light on the critical challenges facing Tarrant County and working toward real solutions to create a safer, stronger future for everyone.
Brayden Rischer
Brayden is passionate about tackling gun violence and building safer communities. Growing up, his personal experiences gave him a deep connection to the issue and sparked his drive to take action. For Brayden, being part of the YSC isn’t just an opportunity—it’s a calling to create real, meaningful change.
Aminah Sharaf
Aminah joined the YSC after experiencing the impact of gun violence at her school, which fueled her passion for creating change led by those directly affected. What she loves most about the YSC is the safe space and sense of community it provides. Through the committee, Aminah is determined to raise awareness about gun violence in Tarrant County and make a real difference.
Mackenzie Shores
Mackenzie joined the YSC to channel her passion for creating positive change and collaborating with others to address critical community issues. She aspires to grow as an advocate for youth-driven solutions and is committed to working on projects that empower young people and drive meaningful change across the community.
Jaelynn Smith
Jaelynn joined YSC to inspire positive changes in teens’ lives and create a ripple effect in communities. She enjoys brainstorming community event ideas and working collaboratively with the committee. Jaelynn’s goal is to combat gun violence by helping communities use resources to create safer environments.
Hector Valenzuela
Hector is passionate about creating change in his community. He found the YSC through My Brother’s Keeper, which inspired him to get involved. Attending OSC’s Youth Gun Violence Prevention Workgroup Summit last year motivated him to focus on community outreach and nonprofit development. Hector is committed to tackling youth gun violence by advocating for better mental health support and improving the lives of at-risk youth.
If you have questions or want to learn more about the Youth Steering Committee and its efforts to combat youth gun violence, we’d love to hear from you! Email us at One.Second@unitedwaytarrant.org.