City of Cordele gives keys to local non-profit
Local non-profit dedicated to youth will soon have a place to call home
CORDELE, GA- When Michael Waters read an article back in 2009 that the City of Cordele didn’t have a vision for the Westside, his heart broke.
“A Bible verse or scripture says, “Where there is no vision, the people perish,” said Michael Waters
Waters banded together with others and started a non-profit called EJB.
“The E stands for Education, the J stands for journey, and the B stands for beyond. So we are taking you on an educational journey beyond what we have been taught,” said Waters.
Because Water’s non-profit didn’t have the resources starting out, he took it upon himself to install a basketball court behind his house and went straight to work mentoring youth.
“We guide them and lead them in the right direction. We also have sports programs,” said Waters.
The organization looks out for youth who are often overlooked by society.
“No child will be left behind. Not only are we focusing on the child, we are focusing
on the whole family,” said Waters.
Waters says his organization is making an impact that cannot be erased.
“Education is important. Each one, teach one,” said Waters.
The building they are moving to is currently occupied by another youth program called, Youth Build which is administered by the organization Southwest Georgia United.
Tuesday night, the Cordele City Commission voted to give the keys to Water’s non-profit.
Waters says when the vote came down Tuesday night he was emotional.
“It was a blessing man. It’s confirmation to know that there is a God.”
The current occupants, Youth Build tells South Georgia Television news that they respect the decision by
city leadership Tuesday night to move in a different direction.
“It’s an emotional decision, but it’s not a surprise. Emotional in the sense that at
the meeting, we had a youth counselor representative there and she was moved to
tears because of the value Youth Build is to many of the people.
Youth Build says they plan to move out of their current location by June 1st.
