In Honor of Deonka. In Service to Youth.
🌟 Carrying the legacy of “Dee Dee”, we empower marginalized youth through love, compassion, and relentless support.
About Us
The 3D Initiative was born out of deep love, unimaginable loss, and an unwavering desire to create lasting change. Founded by the family of Deonka Deidra Drayton—one of the 49 beautiful souls taken in the Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando, Florida, in 2016—this organization is more than a nonprofit. It is a living tribute to a life that mattered deeply and continues to inspire hope and healing.
Deonka, lovingly known as “Dee Dee,” was a beacon of light to all who knew her. Compassionate, vibrant, and full of spirit, she was often misunderstood by those who didn’t take the time to truly know her. Yet she never allowed judgment or societal expectations to dim her light. She lived out loud—with purpose, with love, and with joy.
In her memory, the 3D Initiative was created as a response to the very systems that failed so many like her—especially youth who are marginalized because of their identities, their economic status, or simply because of where they come from. Our name reflects not only Deonka’s initials but also the three dimensions we believe are essential to youth empowerment: Mental health, Economic opportunity, and Transitional support.
We are a grassroots, family-led organization fueled by resilience and built on the values Deonka embodied—love, compassion, trust, relentless service, and empathy. We believe every young person deserves the right to be seen, heard, and supported—without barriers, without judgment, and without exception.
The 3D Initiative exists to ensure that no young person walks alone. Through programs that center lived experience, community connection, and cultural awareness, we work tirelessly to build bridges where none exist. And in every effort, in every service, in every story—we carry Deonka with us.
We invite you to stand with us. Join a movement that turns grief into action, and legacy into love.
Empower Youth, Transform Their Futures
Join us in supporting marginalized youth by providing essential resources for mental health, education, and economic empowerment. Together, we can make a difference!
Our Programs
Resource Navigation
Guiding Youth Toward What They Deserve
Navigating life’s challenges shouldn’t feel like an impossible maze. Through this program, we walk alongside youth—connecting them with vital services like legal advocacy, mental health resources, higher education pathways, financial literacy, wellness practices, and more. No matter their background, identity, or status, every participant gets the guidance they need to access what should never be out of reach: opportunity, stability, and healing.
Education
Centering Voices, Lifting Truths
We don’t just teach—we learn with our community. This program fosters education rooted in lived experience, cultural awareness, and collective growth. We create spaces where youth can engage in storytelling, research, workshops, and dialogue that reflect their realities. The goal: build a strong, informed community that values diverse perspectives, promotes social awareness, and prepares youth to lead with confidence and clarity.
Safe Haven
Creating Space to Simply Be
Safety isn’t a privilege—it’s a right. Our Safe Haven initiative ensures that every youth who enters our circle is met with empathy, confidentiality, and unconditional support. Whether it’s emotional care, a listening ear, or help securing safe housing, we create environments where young people feel truly seen and safe—physically, emotionally, and mentally. Because trust is the foundation of transformation.
Join Us in Empowering Marginalized Youth Today!
Your support can help us provide essential resources and create a brighter future for youth in need. Together, we can make a difference!
Every contribution counts and helps us build a supportive community where every young person can thrive.