NFL Inspire Change: A Young Father Gets His Life Back on Track with the Urban League of Greater Atlanta
As a young adult, K. Thompson, found himself on the wrong side of the law and ended up serving time in the county jail for an armed robbery. After his release in 2016, he was connected to a program that was managed by the Fulton County Superior Court called My Journey Matters. The goal of this program is to divert young offenders from future incarceration through successful integration back into the community targeted supervision, substance abuse counseling, job training, and advancing education.
At the time of his release, Mr. Thompson had one daughter. Mr. Thompson was able to secure employment with Academy Outdoor Sports as a store assembler, a position that required occasional out-of-state travel. He maintained that job for three years.
In 2019, Thompson was referred to the Urban League of Greater Atlanta's Urban Youth Empowerment Program (UYEP) program for GED instruction and career readiness training. However, the timing wasn’t right and Mr. Thompson has other priorities. Nevertheless, when he was refocused and ready o help himself, Mr. Thompson knew just where to go.
Fast forward to July 2020. Thompson reconnected with the Urban League and refocused his efforts on the Young Father program. Now a father of two daughters, Thompson recognized a need to earn his GED and learn a trade. After recommitting himself to a new goal, Thompson attends weekly fatherhood and career readiness classes.
ResultRecently, he earned a forklift certification and has been working with the Career and Employment Specialist to secure employment where he can utilize his new certification.
His participation as a Justice Ambassador is a natural fit. Mr. Thompson now has daughters who he wants to be a positive role for and takes his role as both a father and a justice ambassador very seriously. He says that he wants to be a part of creating a better world for his children and thus, put a lot of focus on both local and national social justice issues.
He wants to find a safe place to express his concerns and frustration while giving back to the Urban League Movement. Mr. Thompson is grateful for the training opportunity provided by the NUL-NFL social justice reform initiative. He is appreciative of the growth this has provided for him to be better for himself, his children, and for the larger community.