Today we’d like to introduce you to Sheldon Theragood.
Sheldon, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
My vision all started in 2010 while I was working for the Harris County Juvenile Justice Center. When you have all types of kids at the age of 10, who would get into the system at a young age. I was a Detention Officer, so I was inside the unit for 8 hours, speaking with at least 15-20 kids who all committed some type of crime and you would sit there and hear all their stories. What really got me was when many of them would ask for another chance to turn their life around. Speaking to different young kids that was living a tough lifestyle really bothered me. While working there for 4 years, I decided and prayed to make a difference some type of way in these young guys life. Like they always say if you can just save one. That was my mission, my duty.
After 4 years in working in detention, I then wanted to make differences in the community and help make it a better place, so I then got hired with the Houston Police Department. In Juvenile, you would hear all their stories inside, but as an officer, you get to see all these stories in real life. It was until I got that call of a “shooting in progress” when my life changed. I was running code 1, so I had to get there in matters of seconds. When I arrived on the scene, there were at least 75-100 people in the street everywhere. I pulled up and go the word that a juvenile had been shot and killed. At that time, I knew I had to do something. I went home had flashbacks on the kid that was deceased and prayed to God to send me a vision.
A couple years later, I then created a non-profit called TheraGood Deeds, where we have all types of kids focusing on outreach, giving back, loving one another, seeing what other people were going through, learning how to not take life for granted to name a few. I also created a team of mentors who would go out and speak to the youth in need and guide them in the right direction. And last, making short film movies that targets anything that our youth goes through in life and turn it into a positive, to help our youth make the right choices in life. Now, it’s been 5 years and I’m so proud to say that we not only saved one but many. I’m so proud of myself for being a leader and role model to step up and make a change. This was my purpose that God had planned for me from the start and I’m having so much fun doing what I love to do.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I can’t say this is easy all the time. When your heart has so much passion for the youth and a situation don’t go as planned can be tough. Been many times, I tried my best to save kids who struggling at home with their parents. The tough part is when they don’t care and you gave it you’re all to help and it seems like nothing is working. It’s hard leaving out knowing that you did the best you could to save this kid, but all you do is pray and check back with them. I had times when we were trying to do outreach, but would constantly run into financial situations. Our heart was in the right place, but a lot of times, we would have to come out of our own pockets to help make our events successful. Which I think is the most challenging part of it all. But, I pray one day we won’t ever have to run into a financial situation again. But, overall everything is awesome!
TheraGood Deeds – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Established in 2010, TheraGood Deeds, is a non-profit organization whose primary focus revolves around assisting inner-city youth, also known as Our Future Achievers, become positive and affluential members of our society. The organization’s name stems from my last name, Theragood. The addition of Deeds was necessary as it reflected the positive standard that I based my life on every day. I often came into contact with much-troubled youth who, after a little positive reinforcement, begin to confide in me their dreams and aspirations. It was in this moment that I realized it was the job of adults such as myself to offer hope to troubled adolescents who had somehow lost their way. A good deed is defined is the act of kindness, accommodation, generosity, or charity, performed with the simple intention of being helpful.
Every day, I challenge myself, as well as others, to perform a Good Deed. It can be as simple as giving the elderly a helping hand, telling someone they look nice today, providing meals to the homeless, or participating in charitable marathons. I believe there are plenty of positives attributes in one’s life or community that can be used to maintain a positive outlook. With the assistance of our volunteers, this organization challenges our future achievers to always think positive and perform Good Deeds not only for themselves but for society as well. We also challenge our future achievers to set short term and long term goals by identifying and accomplishing their aspirations. I’m so proud to see everyone come together to make a change in our youth lives with motivation and confidence knowing that we are doing it. What sets me apart from others, being a police officer who is going out no matter what time of day it is and help save a youth life doing whatever it takes.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Success to me is achieving the goals, visions, you dreamed of. I could have easily sat at my table at home and let Years go by me, thinking about what I wanted to do. But actually going out and conquer that idea and bring it to reality, is a success to me. All I’m here to do is save youth from every situation they go through and be that role model in their life who they can trust and depend on.
Contact Info:
- Website: Www.Theragooddeeds.org
- Phone: 832-880-7860
- Email: theragooddeeds@gmail.com
- Instagram: Www.instagram.com/theragooddeeds
- Facebook: Www.facebook.com/theragooddeeds
- Twitter: Www.twitter.com/theragooddeeds
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