U.S. Representative Kathy Castor Awards $3 Million to The Skills Center Collaborative
April 30, 2023
Marquav’is joined The Skills Center in 2010 at age 10, starting with the Junior Magic League. “The Skills Center helped me build my self-esteem and confidence,” he recalls. “It became a place where I could develop my social skills, grow as a leader, and progress as an athlete.”
It wasn’t just The Skills Center that shaped him. Around the same time, Marquav’is became involved with Men of Vision, a Collaborative partner organization of The Skills Center focused on developing young men into leaders. Together, these experiences played a pivotal role in his development.
Like all young participants at The Skills Center, Marquav’is learned to think long- term, setting goals and identifying the steps he would need to achieve them. With support from coaches, peers, and mentors, he began his journey toward success— one step at a time.
As the years passed, Marquav’is’s involvement grew. “I played basketball, attended workshops, fundraised, and volunteered for community service,” he shares. Through these experiences, he gained a well-rounded set of skills and a sense of community. “Participating in these activities helped me grow into someone with a wide range of abilities and a balanced perspective on life.”
It was not just the activities, though—it was the people. He found a “village” in the
co-founders, coaches, and other supporters who stood by him through every stage of his life, even coming to visit him while he was in college. These connections gave him a foundation of trust and encouragement.
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