DEUCE Community Update: October 2024

 

Every human has limitless potential. Period. This is a core belief for us at DEUCE Community.

With this, we recognize that often, another person has to see the potential in us and show belief before we can see what we might become.

That is why mentorship is at the core of every program we run. We dream of a Los Angeles where everyone has a positive support figure who will walk with them.

“If this were true, the cycles of poverty, trauma, and recidivism could be broken.”

Life changed dramatically once I had a person willing to take a chance on my success.

That person was John Mariotti. John happened to own a gym that I walked into fresh out of prison. I told him that I didn’t have any money but loved training. He asked what I did before prison,

“Rob people.”

He then asked what I wanted to do now,

“This, I want to Coach.” 

He raised an eyebrow. Skeptical would be a generous word for his expression; however, he continued the conversation.

Now, I understand that he was skeptical not just because of my history but because he knew I had no idea what this job entailed.

John made the space for me to build trust at his gym. Letting me spend all of my free time there was not the best business decision he had ever made. I stuck out like a sore thumb and was more than a little rough around the edges. I also didn’t know shit about coaching or fixing gym equipment, which was how I earned my keep there. But John was patient with me; he gave me as much room as I needed to grow and make mistakes. He was always there with wisdom and accountability. 

If you ask John, he will tell you he did nothing remarkable. He will say that I am responsible for turning my life around. But I would not have made it without John and the home he provided for me at his gym. 

While it is true that I wanted to change, before this point, I had never had anyone willing to take the time and patience to invest in my development, at least in a way that trended toward the positive. All of my other mentors had been in the streets. Their interest in me was ultimately self-serving. 

John’s investment in me allowed me to create a life beyond my wildest dreams. I owe everything to his willingness to take a chance on me. 

Beyond that, everything he imparted on me passes on to those I mentor and spend time with. 

“The effects of his mentorship ripple through humanity and will never stop.” 

The most fulfilling moments of my life are when I get to see those ripples in action, when those around me begin to transform others around them. 

Campbell Lillard
DEUCE Community Inc. Co-Founder

The start of the Fall semester brought the renewal of several of DEUCE Community’s youth programs.

We currently work with nearly 60 children from local charter and alternative schools—our work centers around mentorship and wellness education. Our goal is to be able to provide positive mentorship and support for as many Los Angeles area youth as possible so that the potential of the next generation can be realized.

The most exciting thing about this year’s program is providing positive physical outlets and supportive spaces for kids to grow and develop.

As our youth programs expand, we are looking for passionate volunteers who can commit to weekly commitments.

If you are interested in volunteering, contact:

• Campbell at campbell@deucegym.com
• Cianna at cianna@deucecommunity.org