This is a story about hope, not hype. For two dozen young people who live in under-served neighborhoods in South Seattle and the eastside of Tacoma, it is a story about transformation. Not all, but most of them come from poor families. Many of them have family members who were trapped into a life of crime, gangs and drugs. Even some of the kids themselves have had brief brushes with gang life. They are seen by many as disenfranchised youth who have no chance at all of making it. But for 9 months, they will immerse themselves in a special program that will teach them not only to better themselves, but to better the communities they live. They are communities that are in dire need of positive change and these teenagers think they can be the spark that makes it happen.

On Thursday, September 22 from 7 to 8PM, KIRO-TV brings you the culmination of a 9 month expose into the lives of these young people "Voices of the Inner City," a KIRO 7 Family Connection special presentation, follows the lives of two dozen young who are determined to shed the shackles of their surroundings. We meet Chino Celedon-Perez from Tacoma's eastside, who is trying to distance himself from a dangerous past and Nakea Beaver of Federal Way who has seen the consequence of youth violence in her neighborhood. They are members, along with 20 other young people, of a Youth Empowerment Program, sponsored by World Vision, the faith-based humanitarian organization with headquarters in Federal Way.

The program's objective is to teach young people to not only solve problems at home, but to ultimately solve problems in their community. For 9 months, they will attend Tuesday night training sessions that focus on life skills, leadership development and civic engagement. They will produce their own short movies that will provide a glimpse into the lives they live. They will engage in various community service projects. And most importantly, they will research and present a formal policy recommendation to their senators and congressmen in Washington DC.

In July, delegates from Tacoma met with Senator Patty Murray and Congressman Norm Dicks to discuss a proposal for educational reform in Washington state. And delegates from Seattle met with Senator Maria Cantwell and Congressman Jim McDermott to get their support for a bill that was once initiated by delegates from the Youth Empowerment Program. In 2009, delegates from Seattle met with Congressman McDermott and asked him to support The Youth Promise Act, a bill designed to curb youth violence by providing funding for after school programs in neglected communities. McDermott had not heard of the bill, but was so impressed by the teenagers policy recommendation that he looked into the bill and co-signed it the next day. The Youth Promise Act passed the House, but died in the Senate. The bill has since expired. The delegates from Seattle are asking McDermott to once again back the bill... one more time.

"Voices of the Inner City" captures the essence of young people on the road to making their lives better. All too often disgruntled youth from vulnerable communities become apathetic, alienated and angry about what they see around them. They are told by their parents, their peers and the world at large that they don't matter, that their opinions don't matter, that they have no future because they have too many strikes against them. But after being steeped into a youth empowerment program for 9 months, the young people have learned that they do have a seat at the table and a voice that matters. "Voices of the Inner City" is hosted by KIRO 7 Eyewitness News anchor Angela Russell and written and directed by Ben Saboonchian.