Send us a textWilliam Holmes, also known as "Will Keeps," hails from Chicago, Illinois. His childhood was shattered at the young age of seven when he suffered sexual abuse at the hands of his stepfather. The once safe haven of his home transformed into a place devoid of security and love. This trauma left Will confused, angry, and desperately searching for answers in the years that followed. His yearning was simple: a loving and protective family.Unfortunately, many young boys facing similar circumstances struggle to find solace in their homes. Like countless others, Will sought a sense of belonging and protection in a gang. At 13, he joined the gang in Chicago, believing he'd found the "love" and "protection" he craved. Gang life initially offered a feeling of power, care, and security. However, this illusion quickly faded as Will witnessed the harsh realities of gang violence. At the tender age of 15, he watched a rival gang murder a friend. The trauma continued when a jammed gun spared him from immediate death, only to be brutally beaten and left for dead.Miraculously, Will survived this horrific ordeal. It marked a turning point, igniting a passion for saving others from a similar fate. In his 20s, he moved to Des Moines, seeking a fresh start and a chance to shape his future and legacy. He envisioned a world where young people wouldn't have to endure the pain of neglect and insecurity. Determined to make a difference, Will began dedicating himself to his community and at-risk youth facing similar circumstances. He became a daily mentor through the ManUp Iowa program, empowering these young people to choose a better path – a path he wished he could have taken.Will is the founder of Starts Right Here in Des Moines, Iowa, a program designed to serve youth in a supportive, empowering environment. All young people deserve a chance to rise above the circumstances they were born into and to reach their mental, emotional, physical, and economic potential.https://startsrighthere.org/http://shop.btpubservices.com/Title/9781947305779Thank you for listening! We hope you feel inspired and encouraged by our conversation today. If you did, be sure to share this episode with others.Let's stay in touch: Follow us on Instagram @crossroadsapologetics Email us at [email protected] Visit our website www.crossroadsapologetics.org See you in the next episode! Be blessed!

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