Recently, we began production on a powerful new PBS documentary titled, Fork in the Road.

Every young person faces a fork in the road—a moment when the path they choose helps determine who they become. For roughly 3,000 Detroit-area youths each year over the past several decades, the Metro Detroit Youth Clubs (MDYC) has stood at that critical intersection, offering guidance when it matters most.

Over the coming months, we will step into the lives of the young people who rely on Metro Detroit Youth Clubs for life-skills development, a safe haven, and the opportunity to build profound, lifelong friendships. Along the way, they are inspired by community leaders and mentors—many of whom once called the club their own home away from home.

This past holiday season provided a meaningful opportunity to begin filming. We documented club members as they gathered food and clothing for families across the metro Detroit community who were most in need. Holiday Market of Royal Oak was once again ground zero for the annual holiday food drive where participants the seek support directly from local shoppers. Days later, we followed the organizing and distribution of these essential food staples as families arrived to receive their care packages at the Royal Oak MDYC location.

We also had the privilege of interviewing MDYC CEO, Brett Tillander, and Club Director, Melissa Aronson. Together, they shared the rich history of the organization, which dates back to 1958, when Jack and Patti Salter—founding directors of the Royal Oak Boys Club—welcomed young people into a modest log cabin on the same property where the Jack & Patti Salter Community Center now stands.

Fork in the Road will explore how one organization’s humble beginnings have transformed lives through sports, mentorship, and community engagement. Through interviews with former members—now teachers, business owners, and civic leaders—the film traces the club’s generational impact. Coaches and volunteers also share their commitment to providing structure and positive role models in neighborhoods where options are often limited.

We are thrilled and honored to tell this story. Please check in from time to time to follow the progress of the production. We are planning to complete the film in time for the 2026 holiday season.