The Journey
As a product of many challenges, adversities, and systemic barriers that many minorities face growing up in poverty in the inner-city, Mr. Damon Williams comes with a wealth of personal experience. He has faced physical, mental, and emotional abuse, been placed in the foster care system, experienced neighborhood bullying, neglect, poverty, justice-impacted mistakes, discrimination, and many obstacles that should have caused him to give up.
However, due to an inner determination and dedication to change for the better, Damon has been able to rise above these challenges. This has resulted in him achieving several milestones, including over 30 years of gainful employment, starting several successful businesses, and establishing over 50 partnerships with Colleges, Non-Profit, and for-profit businesses. We created an evidence-based program that provides a wealth of services and resources to help young leaders and parents overcome obstacles and achieve success.
Our Mission
S3 empowers youth and parents to rise beyond their circumstances and create lasting legacies of growth, purpose, and resilience. Through honest conversations, skill-building, self-discovery, and hands-on experiences, we transforms underserved youth into visionaries, equipping families with the tools, mindset, and support system needed to overcome adversity, resolve conflict without violence, and build futures rooted in safety, serenity, and success.
Our Core Values
Empathy
We have first-hand experience concerning the challenges that many youth and parents face in life. This enables us to meet our students and parents where they are and provide invaluable support because we have been in their shoes. Our youth and parents are not just a number, statistic, or a "Bad Kid" or "Bad Parent." They are treated as a valuable member of our family that we cherish, and value.
Safe Place Central
We recognize that youth & parents live in environments that frown upon vulnerability, humility, and freedom of expression. Our community of like-minded individuals fosters a safe space of honest and open communication that promotes emotional & mental healing.
Youth & Parent Development
Our programs identify specific challenges youth and parents face in everyday life. We combine evidence-based solutions, community engagement partnerships, parental support to build a bridge to success.
Collaboration & Teamwork
Our commitment to support the young leaders and parents requires a collaborative effort from youths, parents, community organizations, and local businesses to create genuine synergy, support, and a common goal of dedication, commitment, and teamwork.
Trust & Respect
We require all staff, students, and partners to respect the individuality, culture, and uniqueness of every person in our program. Diversity is a hallmark of our program and is welcomed, respected, and valued.