INDIANAPOLIS — Amber Lynch says she started Breakthrough to Excellence in 2019 as a way to help those need.
Breakthrough to Excellence is a summit for children aged 13 through 19 who reside in the areas of Indianapolis where crime is high. Parents are encouraged to attend with their children.
“I want to end the school to prison pipeline because it's growing rapidly. It's going from school to prison to school to graveyard,” Lynch said.
In April of 2022 she held her first youth summit. Her goal was to teach parents and kids crucial life skills.
“We are losing a whole generation of young men at a fast pace and these babies are dying younger and younger," Lynch said.
Lynch's son was shot last month at the BP gas station on East Thompson Road on Indy’s southeast side.
“I’m not going to pretend like he is a perfect person because he has made some mistakes. He has went on the wrong path a couple of times, but he is trying to make his way back,” Lynch said.
Lynch’s son, AJohn, is out of the hospital and recovering. The 25-year-old says he has a long road ahead of him.
“Right now, I've got two limbs that don’t work. I've got a couple of fingers on both hands that I can get to move a little bit,” AJohn said.
Amber said what happened to her son is going to fuel her to continue to help those in need so they don’t fall through the cracks.
“I feel like it’s my duty to be a voice for these people — these victims,” Lynch said.
-
One dead, one injured in crash in Madison County
The Madison County Sheriff's Office is investigating a crash that left one man dead and another injured on Wednesday afternoon.
IndyGo fare increases set for 2026, first hike in 16 years
As with many costs in recent years, expenses for IndyGo have risen, and fares are about to follow. The transit agency will raise prices in the new year, marking its first fare increase in 16 years.
Indiana woman helps create America’s 250th birthday float for Rose Parade
Jill Fewell, Regent of the Caroline Scott Harrison Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution and Indianapolis' Patriot of the Year, has been invited to help build the America250 float.
Indy family shares warning against celebratory gunfire this New Year's
One Indy family is joining IMPD and urging people to be mindful this New Year's after a bullet caused by celebratory gunfire hit their home.
