Jy’Mill Veale, 15; and Shykeem Lloyd, 16, said they’ve started work on The HangOut, which they described as a sanctuary for teens to do what they want to in a safe environment. They pitched their idea to the #ReinventCommunities Youth Challenge, which asked youth how they would benefit their community.

If they win, they’ll receive money to help their goal.

“The message I would like to give to the community is nothing is impossible,” Jy’Mill said. “We can achieve great things with a little bit of hard of work. Also, we are striving our best to get the job done to win the contest and just trying to get our community on the map in a good positive way.”

When completed, The HangOut will feature a general social room, an arcade and a dining area, the teens said.

It will also feature field trips to colleges, museums around the state and workshops to teach teens about health and sexually transmitted diseases, they added.

Jy’Mill said he and Shykeem are excited to be in the finals and encouraged people to vote for the two for their cause.

Chester Williams, who founded A Better Chance, A Better Community which Jy’Mill and Shykeem also volunteer in, expressed his pride in how far the two teens have gotten.

“I am very excited and happy for them and having the opportunity,” he said.

He said if Jy’Mill and Shykeem can attempt to reinvest into the community at such a young age, then the adults can do the same with this voting opportunity.

The two are the only entrants east of Chicago. If the HangOut becomes a reality, Williams said, it can be replicated all across the country in similar towns.

“The hurdle is getting the word out there,” Williams said.

See Jy’Mill and Shykeem’s video “The HangOut Scotland Neck NC” at bit.ly/VoteReinvent. To vote, click the heart-shaped button at the top-right corner of their submission. An email address is required to vote.