Teaching Youth To Be Powerful

Beat The Streets Cleveland Is Teaching Youth To Be Powerful Through The Sport Of Wrestling

Demetrius Williams teaches young wrestlers to be powerful by looking at obstacles as opportunities. How can wrestling change the trajectory of lives? As Executive Director of Beat The Streets Cleveland, Demetrius empowers the youth of underserved communities by teaching the importance of respect, teamwork, leadership, integrity, and perseverance.

Demetrius is a living testimony of how an inspired goal can dramatically change one’s life. He grew up in an impoverished neighborhood in Cleveland and was further challenged with his own hearing and vision impairments while being raised by visually impaired parents. He learned responsibility at a young age.

He says his strength was built through his challenges. Although his parents were disabled, they passionately believed in bettering themselves and their community. Both were involved with the National Federation of the Blind, Cleveland Chapter, and Demetrius’ father, Leonard Williams, was inducted into the Beep Baseball Hall of Fame in 2015.

Demetrius also explains how his parents’ attitude rubbed off on him, helping him to feel unstoppable, and keeping a focus on giving to others. Once Demetrius started wrestling in high school he realized the competitive advantage for anyone who learned this sport at a younger age. That began his vision of teaching wrestling to children at an early age. But, his dream grew to include leadership skills and goal-setting to overcome more than the opponent on the mat.

“Every single day, I work toward a goal. I never stop. You keep working at it and it will pay off. I tell the kids, if you want to be successful, you have to have a plan. Stay committed and it will pay off, not immediately, but it will pay off. You’ll eventually get there. I’m a huge advocate for setting goals and working toward those goals every single day. “

Over 200 children were supported in 2019 in the City of Cleveland through Beat The Streets Cleveland! The year 2020 brought new challenges to this organization but their work continues virtually and in small groups. Beat The Streets still teaches how to turn dreams into success – on the mat and in life.

This isn’t an ordinary sports program and it’s not just character development, although that does happen. This program empowers students to think BIG and take ACTION in order to gain success in life. It all starts with beliefs. Beliefs, or thoughts, lead to action. The right thoughts lead to the right actions that create and build the life imagined and desired.

Click HERE if you’re interested in learning more about Beat The Streets Cleveland or volunteering toward their success!

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Do you think Beat The Streets Cleveland is a powerful solution to change the trajectory of lives?

Feel free to tell Demetrius Williams how inspiring his story is to you!

Do YOU believe in teaching youth to be powerful AND to always give back through community service, as well?