As the nonprofit closes its doors, it supports organizations advocating for kids in the Mountain State
CHARLESTON, W.Va.—Think Kids is donating $5,000 to The Midian Leadership Project— a local nonprofit that develops community leaders through holistic educational and social support, anchored in sports-related programming, for young people ages 10 to 25.
In early 2021, The Midian Leadership Project acquired a former industrial property located across from West Side Middle School in Charleston. After a substantial renovation, the property transformed into the Midian Safe Haven. Its grand opening took place in January 2022, revitalizing a once-neglected area and providing a nurturing environment for the development of future leaders.
The organization works to nurture and empower community-led transformation by growing and sustaining the community’s assets while confronting and transforming unjust institutions and practices. They are committed to sticking with young people from middle school until they reach stable adulthood, assisting with steps such as academic success, college access, life skills, and career support, as well as maintaining connections with college students studying out of town, equipping young people to ultimately reinvest in the community.
They participate in unique, cutting-edge research and practice in the trauma-healing power of sports, partnering with local teams and leagues and their own programs to promote a safe, holistic training ground for leadership that is transferrable from athletic fields to the community.
To Think Kids’ board member Barbara Wessels, their innovative approach with its community roots is a strategy that yields meaningful results and is deserving of the organization’s support: “I am inspired by the transformative work of The Midian Leadership Project. Their holistic approach using trauma-informed care – integrating sports, education, and mentorship – fosters resiliency and empowerment in kids and young adults. This organization is on the front lines providing support and solutions which will have lasting, perhaps life-changing effects.”
Turan De’Angelo Rush is the founding Deputy Director and Chief Operations Officer of the Midian Leadership Project. He was a captain of the football team at Eastern Michigan University, where he graduated in 2021, and holds a master’s degree in Sports Science from West Virginia State University. He’s thankful that the Midian Leadership Project’s message of conviction and hope regarding faith, sports, education, and the stopping of the school-to-prison pipeline resonates with organizations like Think Kids.
“We are very thankful for the support from Think Kids—their skill-building, trauma-informed approach offers kids the exact kind of transformational tools that we value at the Midian Leadership Project as we work to empower the next generation of leaders here in the Kanawha Valley, and their support will help ensure that Midian can make an even greater impact.”
For more information about Think Kids, please contact Kelli Caseman at 304.444.5917 or kelli@thinkkidswv.org. For more information about The Midian Leadership Project, email midianleadership@gmail.com.
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About Think Kids
Think Kids is a statewide nonprofit organization that advocates for the health and well-being of West Virginia’s kids. We use data-driven advocacy to ensure that generations of children grow up safe, healthy, and aspire to do great things. A better West Virginia begins with its kids. Visit our website, our publication site, and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Twitter.
About The Midian Leadership Project
The Mission of the Midian Leadership Project is to develop community leaders through holistic educational and social support, anchored in sports-related programming, for young people ages 10 to 25. Visit their website or follow them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
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