When we think of heroes, we often think of tall, shapely men in capes flying in to save the day. But in Cleveland, heroes come in all shapes and sizes.
To over 700 kids, Demetrius Williams is their hero. Williams is the Executive Director President of Beat The Streets Cleveland, a non-profit organization that helps keep kids off the streets.
The program, born out of a need to help kids stay safe, teaches the important concepts of respect, teamwork, leadership, integrity, and perseverance through the engagement of the sport of wrestling. “We work in under-served communities to create a place where kids can be kids in a safe and fun way,” Williams commented.
“We use wrestling to teach the kids life lessons that can help to create motivated adults with goals,” Williams ended.
Beat The Streets is a national organization working in over fifteen cities across the US. The program offers kids all over Cleveland the opportunity to be involved in a sport, develop friendships, and stay out of trouble.
Williams is seen as a savior to the parents who work with him to help their kids. Most would not know how to help their kids if it were not for Williams.
Beat the Streets Cleveland was formed in 2016 by individuals whose lives have been positively influenced by the sport of wrestling. The core focus of the organization is to positively alter life’s trajectory for Cleveland area youth through mentoring, training, and youth athletics. Simply stated, Beat the Streets Cleveland is opening doors for Cleveland youth that would otherwise be closed.
In 2021 they successfully supported and impacted over 600 children throughout the city of Cleveland through the following programs:
In-Season Competition Team
Freestyle and Greco Club Team
8-Week Summer Enrichment Program
4-Week Day Summer Camp
Wrestling Clinics (partnered with Ohio Regional Training Center)
3-Day Nature Camping Trip
These programs were achieved through working with various local organizations such as Cleveland Metropolitan School District; Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority; Burten, Bell, Carr Development Corporation; Bellaire Puritas Development Corporation; After School All-Stars; Benedictine High School; and various other local schools and organizations.
They are committed and intentional about creating opportunities for positive change. They are changing lives daily. ●
