Colber Prosper
Colber Prosper is the perfect example of how United Way of Broward County can help youth achieve their full potential through education. Colber came from a loving family, despite some members’ negative actions that impacted his family as a whole. He was taught by his father to not look back and always look forward. As a young Haitian African American male, he knew there would be additional obstacles and would have to work harder and stronger than his peers to succeed. Colber was in 6th grade when he was first recruited by his student resource officer at Sunrise Middle School to get involved with United Way of Broward County’s Commission on Substance Abuse (UWBCCSA) program, Drug Free Youth in Town (DFYIT). DFYIT is dedicated to providing leadership skills, knowledge, opportunities and youth recognitions to kids who choose to live a healthy, drug-free lifestyle. Colber was chosen to participate because of the early leadership skills he demonstrated as the school’s safety patrol captain. His outgoing personality and quick wit made him a favorite among teachers and fellow students.
His involvement in the DFYIT program led to his interest in the Broward Youth Coalition. This group of drug free youth leaders represents all areas of the local community. “I want people to realize DFYIT and the United Way Commission were a part of my life. The lessons and skills I learned there I am using today,” said Colber. “In school you are faced with all kinds of pressure. The programs helped me because it gave me something to do and somewhere to go. It also taught me about the consequences I would face if I got involved with certain things. Life was hard enough, always trying to do the right thing and by participating in activities that led to trouble or damaged my health was like me shooting myself in the foot.”
Colber was recently invited back to the Commission’s Youth Leadership Training Institute to share his experience and teach a session to a new group of participants. Colber graduated from Fort Lauderdale High School and went on to earn his Undergraduate Degree from Maryville College in Tennessee and is now pursuing his Master’s Degree in College Student Personnel at the University of Tennessee.
Colber is just one of the hundreds of students in Broward County impacted by United Way programs encouraging a drug free lifestyle.
