Dorothy Day Award Recipient for fostering community and participation

Deborah Kormi has made outstanding efforts to improve the life chances of young people in South London with her commitment to bringing about positive social change in her community. In 2010 at the age of just 12 Deborah responded to growing levels of violence and apathy in youth and youth culture. In July 2011 she held her first 1Way Project meeting in a local church hall. Soon more teenagers from other parts of South London started coming along to Deborah’s meetings. Her aim was to link faith to the importance of education and community to provide young people with support and secure routes to success. Deborah became a London borough Young Advisor and in 2014 was invited by her local MP to speak about the 1Way Project at the House of Commons. Deborah's objective is to steer young people away from destructive paths and guide them instead towards brighter futures. Deborah Kormi is from St Francis Xavier Sixth Form College, Balham, London