“My dad was soft-spoken. He showed love for us by getting up at five every morning, working two jobs, and returning home at 11 or 12 at night. His first job of the day was as a custodian at Fairhope Middle School. If I got in trouble in school, the punishment was swift. He would leave school then work the late shift at Kentucky Fried Chicken. Dad missed many of our events because he worked so much.

My mom was the coolest cafeteria lady at Fairhope High School. She brought her own seasonings because she didn’t want to just dump beans from a can and serve them to the students. We had Sunday dinner Monday through Friday. She also fed kids a little extra when she knew they were hungry.

I am thankful for my parents and how hard they worked. I also saw the wear and tear on their bodies and told myself I wouldn’t work as hard as they did. I graduated from high school without a plan or anyone pushing me. I went to Jefferson Davis Community College, now Coastal Community College, in Brewton just to get out of Fairhope. I worked to pay rent and tried to figure out life on my own, but I stretched myself too thin. I returned home after the first year and worked at Walmart.

I was a hellion in my younger days and ran from God for a long time, but I turned my life around. Years later, I became a deacon and minister in my church. I also work for the City of Fairhope in the utilities warehouse making sure the right parts are stocked on the shelves. I work hard, but I have the time to be a hands-on dad. I learned from my own dad that I can’t get this time back.

I also know the issues that aren’t expected in Fairhope. People cruise through a quaint downtown, but it’s a different story at the edges. My purpose is to mentor kids living on those edges. I started the Level Up program a few months ago with Charles Durgin at the Rotary Youth Club because there are kids who need more guidance falling through the cracks. We want to help them stay on track, hit the next level, and ‘level up’. Let’s be better than who we were the day before.  We are on the ground floor getting started but are moving forward. We have brunch and pampering for the girls on Sunday with volunteers doing their hair and nails, and a photographer taking their pictures.

We’re also planning a job fair based on the kids’ interests–with dentists, nurses, chefs, and a financial planner–all talking to them about careers. If someone wants to work at McDonald’s, we will show him how to be a manager or own one. We have to guide kids to the opportunities they have in front of them. Later on, we will be taking older students on college tours to get them thinking about their futures and seeing bigger possibilities.

There are two main ways to keep young people coming: love them and feed them. Kids want to know someone cares. Come read to the kids, play basketball, or throw a football with them.

When God called me into ministry, I didn’t feel worthy. He saw something in me, though, that I didn’t see in myself. Now, I am providing roadmaps to young people and showing them their worth. I am becoming the mentor I needed when I was their age.”

Maurice

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Maurice’s story is part of the annual Souls series of the Weavers. The ones who stitch together the fabric of society. They show up for others and provide a more connected way to live—proving that one person who cares makes a difference. A spark of compassion becomes a flame lighting the way for others to join in. When I lose hope from the news and big problems, Weavers are my reminder that people are doing good work, often silently and invisibly. They find solutions for repairing the rips in lives and communities by just doing what their heart calls them to do. Their stories also give hope and encouragement to weave in our own threads. These are the stories we need right now. Message me if you have a suggestion for a Weaver in your community.

Lynn