"Do it for the Kids" WFWP Maryland Volunteers to Ready Youth Center

Our WFWP Maryland team loves service. On March 6, 2022, we went to Baltimore to help Samuel Williams II, director of “Do It For The Kids” www.diftk.org and www.text4help.org, to get the location ready for mentoring kids. A pastor offered room to him for the program Do it for the Kids. Do It For The Kids was launched more than 30 years ago when boxing champion Mohammed Ali joined forces with Mr. Milton Bullock, performing artist and music producer, to create a safe place for at-risk youth.The program offers technical training, martial arts, and music lessons. 

First, I got a good workout mopping the big hall. Emiko and I went after the bathrooms, kitchen, and entrance door.  Marianne's husband cleaned the chairs and Samuel repaired them. We got to know a couple people of the congregation, and to build community relations, we bought snacks from a neighborhood store for everyone. 

Samuel was impressed and moved. He took many photos while we cleaned and offered WFWP to use the meeting hall anytime as a venue.

Reflections from participants

To quote Mother Teresa, “Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.” Cleaning is a good way to start helping people because anyone can do it.   ~Marianne Goldberg

I felt “Living by the logic of love” was embodied that afternoon and brought so much joy.   ~Andrea Rissanen

By serving our community with "cleaning," I experienced cleansing my spirit!! Also, there were seven of us from four different countries united in this simple project creating a small cosmic world of peace and love. Thank you.    ~Emiko Butler