Will Keeps Email & Phone Number

It starts right here…My name is William Holmes, aka “Will Keeps”, and I’m originally from Chicago, Illinois. When I was 7 years old, I was sexually abused by my stepfather. No longer a place that was safe and secure, I could no longer call it my “home”. Due to that abuse, I was confused, sad, angry, and searching for answers. In my journey to find them, I realized I wanted a loving father and mother that would protect and love me unconditionally. Like many teenage boys in similar situations, I found love and protection in the form of a gang, The Blackstones, in Chicago. At the age of 13, I found myself living the lifestyle of a gang member, from feeling powerful, cared for, and protected to the daily dangers of violence and death. At age 15, I witnessed the murder of my friend by a rival gang. When they pointed the gun to my head, the gun jammed, so they cut me with knives, beat me with baseball bats, and left me for dead. Miraculously, I survived and began my journey to save the lives of others.I moved to Des Moines in my 20’s and began a new life, focusing on my future and how I wanted to be remembered. I wanted to help others to make a change so they wouldn’t have to go through life feeling uncared for, unloved, or in a home that wasn’t safe. The legacy I am building for myself began the day I started giving back in my community to youth who face similar situations that I did. I found my true God-given abilities were helping others and empowering them to take a better path…one I wish I had the opportunity to take when I was younger.Today, I lead the Starts Right Here Movement (SRH) in the Des Moines public schools, inspiring and motivated at-risk youth in the Des Moines Public Schools through speaking events and my music. In a world where violence and hate are commonplace, it takes individuals and organizations like SRH to lead the way to a better world. We owe it to our children to create a world where youth do not experience the challenges, barriers, and issues that I did. We need to build it, one step at a time and support those who are partnering to make it a reality. I cannot continue my mission of empowering youth to make positive life choices through music, sports, education, or their personal dreams without your help.It Starts Right Here, with ALL of us, TOGETHER.Please join the fight at starsrighthere.org.

Listed skills include Leadership, Public Speaking, Entertainment, Community Outreach, and 4 others.

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  Western Illinois University

  Music Therapy