by natemadden | Sep 9, 2019 | Articles, Champions, News
Ask Luan about landscaping, and he’ll tell you he digs it. It hasn’t always been that way, though. “I didn’t think it was any fun,” Luan said of his first few days as an apprentice.But after cleaning out and replanting his first flower bed, the Shineforth Charterhouse...
by natemadden | Jun 3, 2019 | Articles, Champions, News
Melvin was walking briskly along one of the many shaded and brick-lined paths on Old Dominion University’s campus in downtown Norfolk when it dawned on him. “Wait, what’s today’s date,” he asked as he came to an abrupt halt in his linen-white sneakers. “It’s March 27?...
by natemadden | Apr 2, 2019 | Articles, Champions, News
Roger took a seat at the head of the large wooden table that occupies a private conference space in a South Chesterfield library. Sitting opposite Roger was his mother, Linda. To Roger’s left was his stepfather, Mike, and younger brother, Mikey. The family gathers...
by natemadden | Oct 19, 2018 | Articles, Champions, News
Twelve-year-old Kenyon stands shoeless atop the sprawling padded mat that blankets the dance studio floor. He takes a breath, leans forward, places his hands on his knees and bends an ear toward his dance instructor, Justin Holloway. Kenyon’s eyes are fixed on Justin....
by natemadden | Aug 16, 2018 | Champions, News
Parents. Advocates. Teachers. Mentors. Thinkers. Doers. Unwavering. Champions. For much of Rai and Marie Beasley’s 35 years of marriage, the couple has been advocating for high-risk children. Rai learned through his own experiences with childhood homelessness...
by natemadden | May 14, 2018 | Champions, News
Nick doesn’t have much to say about orange jumpsuits, handcuffs, or the cell in which he stayed for more than three years. In fact, he’s decided he’d rather just put the whole juvenile corrections facility experience behind him. “There’s more...
