Lamont Hollins of Indianapolis said his childhood shaped a program he now hopes will help Indiana families facing hunger and financial hardship.
Hollins grew up around poverty and instability, stood in government food lines as a child and lost his mother at a young age. Now, he is finalizing plans for a youth fishing and financial literacy program.
"Ultimately, the aim and goal is to push people out of the margins," Hollins explained. "When I look at fishing, you don't see a lot of kids participating anymore. Learning how to fish, but connecting the resources and the understanding of financial literacy at an earlier age."
One in seven Hoosiers rely on food banks and meal programs each year, according to Feeding Indiana’s Hungry.
Hollins pointed out the program will teach fishing, teamwork, patience and money management skills while connecting young people with mentors and community resources. He added a growing number of working Hoosiers struggle to afford food and housing as costs continue to rise. Many Indiana families seeking food assistance also care for children or older relatives.
Hollins hopes to partner with Indiana Department of Natural Resources officials, banks and community organizations as he works to launch the effort later this year. He stressed the encouragement he received from teachers, mentors and his grandmother inspired him to help young people find opportunity and direction.
"I had a grandmother and I knew her number when I was like three, four, five, six years old," Hollins recounted. "Knew how to call her. So when I wake up in the middle of the night and my mother wasn't home, I would call my grandmother and here she would come. She provided the unconditional love I think I needed from the trauma, because my mother was killed when I was eight. My dad, he wasn't around very much."
Hollins recently completed a Master of Divinity degree at Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis. He hopes his program can help young Hoosiers build confidence and opportunity.
Source: Public News Service
