Luke Jarvis - Wilkes Youth Life Development

"I really enjoy empowering others, especially young people. I love my community, and I want to see my community thrive. More than anything, I want to see youth thrive in my community.

A lot of times people talk about young people as the next generation, but they can do things right now if we allow them to. I want kids to learn how to use their voice, get involved, and make a difference. The earlier they realize what's happening in their community, the earlier they can start showing up for themselves and advocating for what's important to them.

A lot of people I went to school with left Wilkes County because they thought there was nothing here. But there is a lot to do in Wilkes County. I want young people to discover that, go out and experience new things, and bring those ideas back to their hometown because they're here for a reason.

That's really what we try to do. We’re a youth-serving non-profit organization focused on youth development, specifically around substance use prevention, mental health advocacy, and workforce development, but at the core of it all, we're helping young people get involved in their community.

I've watched our youth present projects to local leaders, speak to elected officials, and get involved in decisions that affect their future. I see people wanting youth involved because it benefits their organization or a project. I want youth involved because it benefits them.

I love what I do because I enjoy serving. I enjoy showing up for people who may not have had people show up for them before. I enjoy being someone people can depend on. I never dread coming to work. Every day brings a new challenge, a new opportunity, and I genuinely enjoy that. It's exciting.

One of the most rewarding things is seeing young people discover purpose. Through programs like the Change Wagon, our youth employees learn that work can be about more than making money. When they hand a warm meal to a family in need, they see firsthand how their actions can impact someone else's day. That's empowering.

I tell our kids all the time that you can have a job that makes money, but you should also think about the purpose behind what you're doing. You can have work that makes an impact, serves other people, and still checks all the boxes.

The same thing happens at the WYLD Lands, our outdoor programs. Watching kids spend time outside, build forts, hang hammocks, start campfires, and simply be kids has been incredible. We've created an environment where young people can experience the kind of childhood their grandparents talk about. That's been really special to see.

What I love most about this community is the passion that fuels grassroots efforts. So many great things started right here in Wilkes County because people believed in building something of their own. That's how we approached our work, too. We didn't want to bring in someone else's model. We wanted to create something that belonged to Wilkes County.

I see that same spirit downtown every day. People support each other. They show up for community events, local projects, and local businesses. From the time I grab a cup of coffee in the morning, head out for lunch, and walk to my car in the afternoons, people are asking what's new, what's happening, and how they can help.

In a time when people seem increasingly disconnected, that sense of connection matters. Downtown brings people together in ways you don't always realize until you stop and think about it.

Everything we do is intentional. It's not about going through the motions or launching a program because funding became available. There's thought, feeling, and purpose behind everything we do. We want every young person, regardless of their background, to know they have a place here, that their voice matters, and that they can make a difference right now.

That's what keeps me going. That's why I do what I do."

- Luke Jarvis, Executive Director of Wilkes Youth Life Development (WYLD)

WYLD’s office is located at 215 9th Street.

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