WASHINGTON -- Charise Van Liew and Martin Jenkins are inspiring D.C. teens to stay off the streets, and Jenkins isn't even out of high school yet.

Van Liew is soft-spoken and mostly works behind the scenes, but without her, Facilitating Leadership in Youth, or FLY, would not exist.

"She's like the person who really keeps FLY going, like the backbone," said Kris Stith.

He and about 20 other students, most of whom live in the Barry Farms public-housing development in Southeast, go to FLY for tutoring and mentoring. It provides a safety net, keeping them in school and off the streets.

"And then going on to become these confident, young leaders who are going out, speaking up about issues in their community and really creating a healthy atmosphere for residents who live here," Van Liew said.

Van Liew helped establish FLY after spending a summer volunteering in Anacostia. She said the experience opened her eyes to the history and culture of the area. She found inspiration in the children.

"The young people that I met really motivated me because they were always seeking out things to do, things to learn and people to get to know," Van Liew said.

One of those young people was Jenkins. He started going to FLY because he didn't have anything better to do, but he quickly developed into a student leader whose infectious energy influenced other students to achieve their best.

"What makes a good leader is responsibility, commitment and a drive for what you're going to do," Jenkins said.

Jenkins spent six months training to become a FLY board member and has challenged other students to take an active stand against social injustice.

"It makes me feel like I can make a change, a better tomorrow for people and myself," he said.

Van Liew and Jenkins are sharing the Linowes Leadership Award for their work at FLY. They continue to build a strong foundation for future leaders, and they get back as much as they give.