The Impact of Giving

When Kaseem toured Williamson College of the Trades for the first time, he was surprised by how much the school inspired him. He transformed from a high school student uninterested in attending college to a young man eager to embrace the discipline required to enroll at Williamson. “I looked at all the shops and chose Carpentry as my first choice because I wanted to be challenged. That’s my main goal in life. If you’re not working hard at something, you won’t get rewarded for it,” he shares.

OVERCOMING ADVERSITY
Kaseem has seen his share of adversity. His mother has diabetes and has been battling serious health issues for several years. And he often felt unsafe in the neighborhood where he grew up. In high school, Kaseem struggled with both behavioral and academic issues. To cope with his emotional struggles, he joined an afterschool program, which eventually led him to CrossFit and a mentorship program called the Green Beret Project. Through these experiences, he learned the value of connecting with mentors and seeking support from others. “One of my mentors, Adam, has been a big influence in my life for many reasons, including being the person who researched educational opportunities for me and convinced me to apply to Williamson,” he says.

WILLIAMSON’S TRANSFORMATIVE IMPACT
Kaseem credits Williamson for teaching him how to be more focused and disciplined. “Once I started classes, things started clicking. I fell in love with carpentry. I started working hard and learned that I can’t let my emotions affect me,” he recalls, adding, “I also grew closer to God. I read the Bible a lot more and talk to my mom as much as possible.” Despite dealing with ongoing stressors in his life, Kaseem feels better equipped to manage them, thanks to Williamson’s supportive community. “This school has done so much for me, most importantly, helping me mature as a man,” he reflects.

SOME WILLIAMSON FAVORITES
The sense of brotherhood is at the top of Kaseem’s list of favorite things about Williamson. “It’s something I’d never experienced before, but everyone here has my back. I could call any one of the guys in the shop, and they will respond back to make sure I’m okay,” he says. Kaseem is also grateful for the support of many Williamson staff members, including Jenna Bruney, Director of Residence Life, and Tracey Hepner, Director of Health Services, who have helped him adjust and check in on him regularly.

NEXT STEPS
Kaseem has a clear vision for his career after graduating from Williamson. He plans to build on what he’s learned in school and to continue developing his craft. In the future, he hopes to get into management and eventually establish his own construction company. He also dreams of traveling outside of Delaware to broaden his view of the world. He shares, “Now that I have a plan for myself, I’ll be able to help support my mom and to do so many things for myself that might not have been possible. Every day is a new day, and you’ve just got to stay positive.”