It takes a village to raise the whole community.

Magnificent Growth Inc. was created in Albany, New York on April 7, 2016 by a team of individuals who wanted to change the way single parents structured their way of life among their youth and children — advocating in the areas where it could relieve the burden and the responsibility.

Shavon Taylor, the organization's president and founder, was born in Brooklyn and raised in the Cypress Hills projects by a single mother. As the only son in the house, with no father's leadership, he learned about adulthood early. His ambition, in his words, was to deconstruct and reconstruct — from negative to positive.

He worked three and four jobs at a time. He pulled himself up by his own bootstraps. And he came out the other side with one conviction he wanted his community to hear: if he could do it, there are absolutely no excuses.

That conviction became MGI. The organization strongly believes in what it calls a top-down system: aid the parent first, with a new start and preparation for their youth, closing the gap in language and environment. Ensure that not only the child benefits, but the parent learns too — in a workshop setting where both are trained to communicate and build a better rapport with one another.

Today MGI serves the Capital Region and surrounding areas, helping shape a brighter future in care service for youth and their growth and development. Housing, jobs, education, community, trade and vocational schooling — the aim is to enlighten and embrace the mind and well-being of both parent and youth, and to keep their environment protected, safe, and secure.