My Delavan Grider Story- Meet Dr. Kate Haq

Shortly after the Delavan-Grider Community Center was built, sometime around 2002 or 2003, one of our sons was in middle school and struggling with his weight. He was athletic and a loyal teammate in soccer, basketball, football and baseball but, like many 'tweens' had gained weight and needed help learning how to manage nutrition and exercise. Delvan-Grider was offering a Saturday morning class in the gym that was for parents and kids and addressed these important issues, so he and I attended during the winter months and really enjoyed ourselves. He has always been a determined person, but the instructors in the class focused on building self-confidence and self-love and I think that really stuck with him over the years. I remember being impressed with the fact that he would remind me that we had class each week! Now this could be because the Delavan-Grider class allowed us to have one-on-one time together, and with two brothers and a working mom, this type of time was tough to come by. We learned new recipes and worked out together and this carried over to our homelife. There was a warmth the Center gave us that I remember to this day.

Once he got to high school, our boy tried out for the basketball team, since basketball was his first love. He didn't make the team and was really crushed but he picked himself up and became the team manager. This showed strength and purpose, as well as a goal to work towards, and he did. Sophomore year, he made the team! He never gave up and poured everything into building relationships with his coaches and teammates and it paid off. Eventually, as a senior he became co-captain of the team. Looking back now, I see a foundational piece in the role that Delavan-Grider played in his journey and I appreciate this place even more today. As a member, I am able to interact with many community members and organizations that show me how this place still builds character and resilience in every person who walks through those glass doors.

Dr. Kate Haq, Co- Founder & VP, Mother Earth Literacies