By Ruthanne Johnson
Michelle and Tony Richards have had a passion for helping kids as long as they can remember – even before having their own. Over the past 20 years, on their own dime and time, the husband and wife team have helped more than 50 disadvantaged youths by being what Michelle calls “kid collectors” or community parents. In 2006, the duo decided to create Reach The Future Foundation to broaden the stretch of their helping hands.
“We wanted to do more for these children,” said Michelle, director and founder of Reach The Future Foundation, which provides youths with academic, merit-based scholarships for college and career training.
“For us, all kids are worth the effort,” she said, adding that the help they’ve provided youths over the years began in their own backyard. Around the Five Points neighborhood, the Richards involve themselves with teens when they are unprepared to think critically.
“My mother said I always brought in kids off the street,” said Tony, explaining that in addition to opening their own home to needy youths, he and Michelle have paid out of their own pocket for the youths to be able to participate in athletics. “We believe strongly that involvement in sports helps kids see the benefit of hard work, and they acquire the ability to focus and work towards a constructive goal.”
“I remember taking in my son’s girlfriend, who was a basketball player for CSU at the time,” said Michelle. “Her parents lived in Texas and she needed a place to stay. We didn’t even have to think about it, and she went on to graduate with a BS in engineering. Now, she’s a basketball coach at the University of Louisville.”
The Richards, who both hold full-time jobs, have paid for sporting equipment and uniforms, hotel rooms and car rentals for out-of-town sporting events, college application fees and even food.
“Sometimes, the parents would send these kids with no money or food,” said Michelle. “Many times, our assistance has helped to bridge the gaps, often just in the nick of time.”
“Since then, we’ve had many opportunities to help students,” said Tony, “especially in athletics – gang-recruited youths who’ve gone on to receive athletic scholarships for college, two girls who made the NFL Co-ed Flag Football Team in 2001, and a 17-year-old boy who just qualified for the 2008 U.S.A. World Team in the 400 meter.”
The Richards are promoting their fledgling foundation through neighborhood events and the local media.
“We need just about everything right now – funding, volunteers, grant research and writing and equipment donations,” said Michelle. “No thought is too small.”
In addition to merit-based scholarships, the foundation provides monies to fill in the gaps for everyday needs, especially for those involving athletics.
The foundation will be hosting an evening filled with music, film and food at Neighborhood Flix Cinema & Café at 2510 E. Colfax Ave. on Wednesday, March 26. For more information about the event or the Reach The Future Foundation, call 1-888-519-0035 or visit www.rtffusa.org.
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