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Keith D.Williams PUAKEA OLAISHA ANDERSON PHOTO[/caption]
By Puakea Olaisha Anderson
Special to the Michigan Citizen
DETROIT — Former vice chair of the Wayne County Commission Keith D. Williams is on a mission to help inner city youth. Williams, a Detroit Public Schools’ (DPS) graduate is using sports as his platform. With his non-profit, Courageous Inc., Williams, 58, will be working closely with DPS to attract students as early as middle school to the program. Courageous Inc. will also work in partnership with Wayne State University.
“Early childhood development is the key to a child’s success,” Williams told the Michigan Citizen. “I knew the influence sports had over my life and I want to follow my dreams helping these children and helping these families.”
As a youth Williams was influenced by his parents, who were community leaders, and has never looked back.
“Part of my whole career (included helping to) strengthen families,” says Williams. “When you strengthen families you strengthen the kids and that was the whole basis for running for office and beginning Courageous, Inc.”
Courageous Inc. consists of three programs Project H.O.P.E. (Help Our People Elevate), Administrative Operations and Youth Development Programs. Project H.O.P.E will be used as a resource center where families can receive counseling, employment assistance, fatherhood help and more.
“Families need a spiritual change and, secondly, they need some skill-set changes. Some struggle with lack of education and some do not know how to raise children. I want to bridge that gap,” says Williams.
Administrative Operations handles the business side of the non-profit, which include legal and advisory, funds and grants development. The Youth Development Program includes American Youth Football, track & field, and Legends Baseball, among other sports-related activities. Williams plans to open his facility to the public September 2013 with hopes of gaining the trust of youth and families in the city.
Every employee of Courageous Inc. undergoes a background check so that Williams is certain the youth will be in good hands.
Free track and field clinics for middle school students were held at Wayne State University April 17. Legends League Baseball will begin April 27, 12-6 pm and, on the same day, Courageous Inc. will be sponsoring a track meet at Renaissance High School at 10 am. The new facility will be one of the few sports facilities that will have batting cages, work out rooms, assistance with track and field and tutoring.
“My favorite quote is (from) the late Bobby Kennedy: ‘There are those who look at things the way they are and ask why?’” says Williams. “I dream of things that never were and ask why not?”
For more information visit www.getcourageous.com or call 313.215.4121. To enroll your child in track, call 313.363.7289. For baseball call 313.363.7271.
