The Delta Project

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The Delta Project

How do I become something I don't see?

The Delta Project exists to break the generational cycle of incarceration by reconnecting youth of color and their families to community relationships through mentorship, coaching and storytelling.

08/12/2026

Reposting this amazing clip from Chris Sain Jr. featuring our own Cole Williams and Ms. Shanda.

We're thankful for our amazing collaborators and community members. Here's to the consistent support from our village.

08/07/2026

Sometimes the most important conversations do not happen in a classroom. They happen in the chair.

In Lansing, Barbershop Talk gives young people ages 14 to 21 more than a free haircut. It gives them space to slow down and let their guard down (pun intended). They get to talk honestly about fatherhood, masculinity, identity, absence, mental health and the things they have learned to carry in silence.

Guided by Cole Williams’ Son to a Father curriculum, these conversations are built on trust, the right questions and trusted adults who know how to open the door without forcing anyone through it.

The haircut may bring them in. The connection is what brings them back.

Full story at the link in our bio!

07/27/2026

Hot, loud, full week, this is what summer is supposed to feel like.

Our first Summer Experience Week gave the girls a little bit of everything, go-karts, bumper cars, laser tag, movie day, a private luncheon, boating safety, pool time, ice cream, and a lot of moments they’ll probably be talking about for a while.

We started the week at Craig’s Cruisers, slowed things down with a movie day when the heat and air quality warnings hit, and had some real conversations along the way about friendship, balance, and screen time.

Midweek, the girls got to experience a private five-course luncheon at TrustGR with Chef Trimell and Chef Jaysin, where they learned about etiquette, tried something new, and got treated with the kind of care they deserve.

Later in the week, Sam Mickens, Jr. led hands-on boating and water safety instruction, giving the girls real skills and confidence they can carry with them beyond the summer.

And we closed it all out at the MLK pool, which felt like the exact kind of ending the week needed, sunshine, swimming, laughter, and a little bit of chaos in the best way.

A huge thank you to the people and partners who helped make this week happen:

Greater Grand Rapids NAACP , for making sure the girls had transportation all week.

, for hosting such a thoughtful and beautiful luncheon.

Trimell Hawkins and Jaysin Hawkins , for creating an experience the girls won’t forget.

Sam Mickens Jr , for teaching boating and water safety with so much care.

Board President Kareem Scales and The Delta Project Board, for your leadership and support.

Nikki Thompkins , for continuing to show up for our youth with heart.

We’re grateful for every person who helped bring this week to life, and even more grateful that our girls got to experience it.

07/16/2026

We got to spend time with students from Living Histories: Grand Rapids, a program through Mosaic Film Experience which took place at WMCAT that gives young people the opportunity to learn media production by telling real stories from their own community.

This year, students chose to highlight nonprofit leaders making an impact in West Michigan, and we were honored to be included.

During the interview, we got to share more about The Delta Project, how it started, who is behind the work, what it looks like on a regular day, and why showing up for young people and families matters so much to us.

What made it even more special was seeing the students step into the role of storytellers. They came prepared, asked thoughtful questions, and took the time to understand not just what we do, but the heart behind why we do it.

Programs like this matter because they give young people the tools, confidence, and space to tell stories that deserve to be heard.

07/14/2026

This one hits close to home.

Michigan passed Senate Bill 81, which means young people in delinquency court now have the right to an attorney.

For us, this is not just a policy update. We have seen how overwhelming the system can feel for young people and their families. The language, the process, the fear, the uncertainty, it is a lot to carry, especially for a kid.

No child should be standing in court without someone beside them who understands the system and can advocate for them.

At Delta, we believe in seeing the child before the case and the family before the file. This bill is one step closer to that kind of justice.

There is still work to do, but today we are taking a moment to celebrate this step forward for Michigan youth and families.

07/13/2026

From time to time a person can walk in with skewed assumptions.

They’re not used to the area, the community, or seeing so many different cultures in one place.

Then they start to loosen up and conversations start. People mix. They get close enough to see each other differently.

That’s what makes the car shows so powerful. Thousands of people, different backgrounds, and not one issue.

Just people sharing space, realizing there was never anything to be afraid of.

*** Comment “listen” for a link to the full interview!!!

07/10/2026

Day 5: Friday Finale

We ended Summer Experience Week the only way that made sense, food first, and pool second.

After lunch at Qdoba, we finally made it to MLK Park for the pool time the girls had been waiting on all week. When we say they did not waste a second, we mean it.

They were jumping in, racing each other, splashing everybody, laughing at everything, and acting like they hadn’t just had a full week of activities already.

From Craig’s Cruisers to Toy Story 5, a private luncheon, boating safety, and swimming, these young ladies showed up every day ready for whatever was next. They brought the energy, the questions, the courage, the jokes, and definitely the drama.

By the end of the week, we were tired, grateful, and so proud of them.

Also, quick update on the no-phone challenge: they actually did pretty good.

Did their phones die? Yes.
Are we still counting it as a win? Absolutely.

☀️

07/09/2026

Thursdays are for boating!

Day 4 took us to Keenan Marina in Spring Lake, and let’s just say… the girls were READY for the water.

They spent the day learning the boating basics, how to safely help someone onto a boat, what the bow and stern are, how docking works, which rope to secure first, and why water safety is no joke.

Then came the big moment: some of them got to drive the boat!

There were questions, games, laughing, cruising, pool time, and of course, an ice cream stop because it was HOT and very necessary.

A huge thank you to Mr. Sam, founder of Project Emma, for welcoming us aboard and giving the girls such a special experience. He brought the patience, the wisdom, and the kind of calm energy you definitely want when a group of excited girls are learning their way around a boat.

This was one of those days that was fun, full, and something they’ll remember for a long time.

One more day.

07/07/2026

Every Wednesday, young dads in our community have a place to show up and be supported.

Young Fathers Initiative group is about connection. Fathers get to be with other who get it, sharing what life looks like right now, learning from each other, and building stronger futures for themselves and their kids.

Fatherhood feels heavy when you’re trying to figure it out alone. You don’t have to.

If you’re a young dad looking for support, resources, or just a room where you can connect with other dads, join Nick on Wednesdays at the Grand Rapids Community Foundation Community Room.

Come as you are. Bring your story. Build community.

Young Fathers Initiative
Wednesdays
1:00 PM–4:00 PM
Grand Rapids Community Foundation Community Room
185 Oakes SW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503

07/03/2026

Day 2 was exactly what we needed.

Tuesday’s heat was not playing, so the girls voted for a movie day. We grabbed fresh popcorn and cold drinks, and got cozy for Toy Story 5.

What we didn’t expect was how much they would take from it.

The movie opened up a real conversation about screen time, friendship, technology, and what it looks like to actually be present with the people around you. The girls had a lot to say afterwards.

“I learned that just because people use technology, they don’t have to change.” — Debrielle

“I learned not to use a lot of technology all the time.” — Kennedy

“Starting a friendship over a device is not always good.” — Diamond

“It’s okay to get off your phone once in a while.” — LaMiya

After the movie, we wrapped up at Buffalo Wild Wings and kept talking through it all. Somewhere between wings, drinks, and movie thoughts, the girls created a no-phones challenge for Thursday’s camp day.

So now the real question is…

Will they make it?

Stay tuned.

Address

Grand Rapids, MI
49501, 49502, 49503, 49504, 49505, 49506, 49507, 49508, 49510, 49514, 49515, 495

Website

https://thedeltaproject.co/

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