Spring break became more than a week away from school for youth in the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation community. Through basketball nights, field trips, carnival games, and a talent show, Victor Organista helped create a week filled with safety, joy, learning, and connection. His leadership showed how Native youth can make a powerful difference by simply being present, dependable, and willing to serve.
As a National UNITY Council Executive Committee member representing the Southern Plains region, Victor’s work reflects the heart of UNITY’s mission: uplifting Native youth by inspiring hope, building leadership, and changing lives for the better in Indian Country.
Victor continued hosting weekly basketball nights on Sundays and Thursdays, bringing together 20 to 25 people each night. With participants ranging from youth to adults, these basketball nights created a healthy, positive space for community members to gather, move, laugh, and connect across generations.
Through this effort, Victor is helping strengthen community wellness while showing younger Native youth that leadership can look like opening the gym, welcoming others in, and creating a place where everyone belongs.
During spring break, Victor worked with the Boys and Girls Club of the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation to support youth activities for kindergarten through sixth grade students. One highlight included taking Kindergarten, First Grade, and Second Grade students to the PBPN Fire Department for a fire station tour.
Youth were able to see the tools, equipment, and vehicles used by firefighters. They also had the chance to go inside the firetrucks and explore the fire station, making the experience both educational and memorable.
Victor also helped with a penny carnival in partnership with the Firekeepers Youth Council and PBPN Police Department. Together, they created carnival games where youth could play for tickets and later trade those tickets for prizes. These activities gave children a safe and exciting way to enjoy their break while connecting with positive role models in the community.
On the final day of spring break programming, Victor helped set up and host a talent show for youth from kindergarten through sixth grade. He even sang during the event, encouraging young people to step forward, share their gifts, and celebrate one another.
By supporting the talent show, Victor helped create a space where youth could build confidence, practice courage, and feel seen by their community. That kind of encouragement can leave a lasting impact, especially for younger Native youth learning to believe in themselves.
Reflecting on his experience, Victor shared, “My favorite part of spring break was being able to take part in creating a fun and safe spring break for the youth.”
He also reflected on how much the children taught him during the week, saying, “During the entire week I was reminded of the joys of the small things in life, like learning a new skill, being able to hang out with friends, and spending time with people of different interests.”
For Victor, serving youth was also a reminder of how to live with purpose. He shared, “The kids reminded me of how I should attack life, with confidence, compassion, and courage.”
His gratitude for community-based work was clear as he added, “I am very thankful for the job I have at the Boys and Girls Club of the Prairie band Potawatomi Nation, for without the job I don’t think I would be able to be as active in the community as I am now.”
Victor’s work reflects the National UNITY Council’s commitment to developing Native youth leaders who serve their communities with purpose and respect. Whether organizing basketball nights, helping children explore the fire station, supporting carnival games, or encouraging youth to share their talents, Victor is showing that leadership is not always about being in front. Sometimes, it is about making sure the next generation has a safe place to grow.
The National UNITY Council provides Native youth, Native Hawaiian youth, and Alaskan Native youth with opportunities to address common concerns, strengthen their leadership skills, and work together with a positive and unified voice. Through community service, civic engagement, cultural teachings, and peer leadership, the NUC continues to support youth leaders who are building stronger communities across Indian Country.
As a Southern Plains Regional Representative on the National UNITY Council Executive Committee, Victor Organista plays an important role in representing youth voices from his region while helping guide UNITY’s national network. His service in the community shows how regional representatives can lead by example, uplift younger youth, and carry forward UNITY’s mission to inspire hope and change lives for the better.