POLK COUNTY, Fla. — This week’s everyday hero has dedicated nearly 30 years to helping young people in Polk County.

Jeffrey Williams works at the Dream Center in Lakeland, which focuses on empowering youth through education.

“I grew up down the road,” Williams said. “This is a drug-ridden area. High crime area. But i grew up in a place called Dakota projects.”

Still, Williams was able to go on and receive a degree from Florida A & M University in 1993.

“I started working with the young people and God put me on a whole another mission,” Williams said. “So what I’ve been basically doing is empowering youth to exposure in education.”

His summer camp has two groups.

Kindergarten through fifth grade, which is ‘risk kids club’ and the ‘teen business camp’ which is the middle schoolers and the high schoolers.

The days are busy and productive.

“We read from seven to nine,” he said. “We feed them breakfast. Nine to ten we do daily devotion. Ten to 12, we do academic enrichment.”

Then comes lunch and every afternoon is a special outing.

 Williams also is involved in field trips, taken to visit various businesses.

The group also takes college tours, including a recent one to Florida State as students learn job, life and budget skills.

There are a great many success stories of young people who have gone on from this program.

A man of deep faith, his love and concern for these young people is not just about for today but for the many tomorrow’s to come. He calls this his ministry.

Williams also is a student success coach and college and career coordinator at Lakeland’s Kathleen High School.

“It’s energizing just to work with these young people,” Williams said. “Because if i don’t do it who will?”