“Building Our Leaders Today”: Omaha program aims to help youth make better choices

Although Urban Youth B.O.L.T is offered as a diversion program through the legal system, Michelle Butler said it's also open to anyone in the community whose child needs it. "We are one resource of many in our North Omaha community that would be a safe place that really helps the

Read the full article on KETV 7

OMAHA, Neb. —

If you think your child is on the wrong path, a local program says they’re here to help. Since 2010, the Center for Holistic Development has run its Urban Youth B.O.L.T program. It aims to meet young people where they are and help them make better choices.

A collage of dreams and goals is also known as a vision board, and it’s one of the many activities that Tinyelle Mattan did years ago when she was in the B.O.L.T program. She recently created another vision board.

“I’ve actually made one before, like when 2026 started and I put phlebotomy on there and now I’m a phlebotomist,” Mattan said. “I like putting things that I want to see myself doing in the future.”

“B.O.L.T is an acronym that stands for Building Our Leaders Today,” said Michelle Butler who runs the program. “And we use the seven principles of Kwanza, and the eighth principle of respect.”

“(Michelle) taught me that someone other than my family could care a lot and want to see me do better,” Mattan said.

Mattan met Butler when she was referred to B.O.L.T. as a diversion program after some run-ins with the law in high school.

“I was younger, hanging out with the wrong crowd, doing the wrong things,” Mattan said.

Now, not only is Mattan a phlebotomist but she owns her own business, Tiny’s Treats.

“I really could put anything on a cupcake,” she said.

Mattan also returned to the program to speak with youth and eventually work as a facilitator at one point.

And although B.O.L.T is offered as a diversion program through the legal system, Butler said it’s also open to anyone in the community whose child needs it.

“We are one resource of many in our North Omaha community that would be a safe place that really helps the kids to understand some of the impacts of their behaviors and give them skills to help them to move forward,” Butler said.

Mattan also has some words of advice for any youth who might find themselves lost.

“Think about what you’re actually doing because if you don’t think about what you’re actually doing, you’re not thinking about your future. You’re going to be thinking in the moment and sometimes that does not benefit you in the future,” she said.