We ought to do everything we can to support young people and invest in them. After all, they are the future.

The Queen’s Foundation, a statewide nonprofit organization that seeks to nurture and challenge young women to reach their maximum potential, has been working to develop a presence in the Twin Counties. In 2012, the organization launched its “Make Me A Queen” program in Rocky Mount.

Twenty-one girls are participating in the program, which teaches them to become leaders and give back to their community, among other goals and values.

The organization was founded by former Miss North Carolina USA 2010, Nadia Shirin Moffett.

Each girl who goes through the program is paired with a mentor, who helps encourage her and reinforces the values she is learning through the program.

That support can make a big difference in a young girl’s life. In turn, those girls are spreading the positive values and messages they learn to others they meet and interact with. They are learning to be confident and motivated individuals.

With so many challenges facing our region, including high teen pregnancy rates, we owe it to our young people to motivate and inspire them to overcome those barriers and be the best they can.

The program also is working to overcome gender barriers. Although society has come a long way toward achieving equality for women, we still have a long way to go. Our girls should grow up knowing they are entitled to the same opportunities as men.

Moffett and The Queen’s Foundation want to continue and expand their presence in the Twin Counties, but they need help.

There are many ways to support the program: Volunteer, become a mentor, spread the message or make a donation.

All it takes is a little effort, and we can make a big difference.