AAAD

Hi my name is Lareese Cathey,  I am the founder and visionary of Angels at a Distance Inc.  My passion to help at risk youth stems from bad choices I made during my childhood years.  My childhood experiences helped me to have compassion and understanding for some of the pressures, and problems our youth face today.  I believe giving back to our community and paying it forward to the next generation will help build a strong, supportive foundation for the youth here in Queen Anne’s County.

 

I have a history of building healthy relationships with residents, business owners, and county officials here on the Eastern Shore.  In 2015, I was appointed by Queen Anne’s County Commissioners to serve as the Commissioner of the Queen Annes Housing Authority Board.  My duties as Commissioner were to make sure funding is being dispersed properly and policies are being followed and updated.  In 2014, I partnered with Grasonville Elementary in Queen Anne County  and the Housing Authority of Queen Anne County to share my dream of putting a Little Free library in a vacant room in my housing development’s community building.  I was granted my wish to use the room by my Housing Authority who started the ball rolling with a donation of $4,000.  With my hard work and determination I was able to collect 6,000 books and $3,000 more in funding to support my dream.  The Grand Opening of Fisher Manor Little Free Library occurred on July 18, 2014 and my dream became a reality in the form of a safe, learning atmosphere for over 80 children in the Garrisonville community.  I am no stranger to hard work and dedication when it comes to creating opportunities for the next generation.  I have a heart to help people succeed and I know that change starts from within and it takes a village to raise a child.

 

Hi, my name is Antonio Jackson. I am the co-founder of Angels at a Distance Inc. Growing up in my neighborhood, it wasn't normal to have a father figure in the home or positive male role models in the community. Due to the lack of positive reinforcements, I became a product of the environment. Making bad choices in my younger years helped me to form a love and compassion to help young men that don't have an outlet and positive examples become strong, successful, and self-sufficient. I use basketball and other sports to teach at risk youth life lessons.
 
In 2008, I organized my first basketball tournament to encourage the youth to stop the violence in the Dover, Delaware communities. I partnered with local officials in Dover to spread the word: "Put Down the Guns and Pick Up a Ball." Organizing several successful non-violence basketball events brought UNITY and love to the Dover communities. I developed a mentor group called 302 Ballers Mentoring Team. I recruited a team of successful men that were teachers, business owners, college graduates, and semi-pro athletes. In 2015, I volunteered to help counsel at risk youth in the impoverished communities in Dover, Delaware. Several of our youth were able to beat the odds and go off to the military and college due to the support system we provided for them. I recently started a basketball team here in Queen Anne's County (QAC) called 443 Young Ballers. The team consists of 12 players from ages 12 to 14. I was able to receive enough donations to acquire basketball uniforms, basketball equipment and gym time. Mentoring the youth in QAC has been one of the best experiences in my life. I understand it takes a village to raise a child, and I have a vision to build and create opportunities for the next generation.