Dr. K Movement Inc. takes aim at more than one ultimate goal, but its way of reaching both come down to motivating and educating.
The St. Rose-based nonprofit organization was established in 2012 in an effort to help guide today’s at-risk youths to stay on the right path, while also encouraging people who have been convicted of crimes in the past to make a positive impact on society, and providing them a platform to do so.
Dr. K spokesman Miguel Thornton said the organization’s ultimate hope is to prevent people from ever making the wrong turn to begin with.
Some of the ways Dr. K has attempted to do that includes field trips to Angola and St. Gabriel prisons, designed to deter children from committing the crimes.
“It allows young people to see face to face, hand to hand, those who have been caught up in the system,” Thornton said. “Here in Louisiana, we lock up more people than anywhere else in the world. That’s absolutely frightening.”
The organization was formed as the brainchild of organization president Anthony Straughter. Though empowerment programs and motivational speaking, Dr. K gives past convicted felons a chance to impact today’s youth in a positive manner by imparting their knowledge of the lifestyle and obstacles both at-risk children and adults face on a daily basis.
Thornton said Dr. K is largely about raising awareness of how the pitfalls of life can affect us and how to properly deal with them.
“Whether its dealing with unemployment, or direct racism, or being affected by a scandal, there are so many things that can result in somebody taking the wrong path,” Thornton said. “When we hear that someone may be in trouble or in danger of taking that road, that’s when we try to intervene.”
Thornton recently published a book, titled “Success: How to Obtain It, How to Enjoy It and How to Keep It.” He says one thing he tries to impart as a mentor who has reshaped his life after a setback is the importance of positive visualization.
“You can overcome whatever obstacle comes your way, as long as you keep a positive mental attitude,” Thornton said. He’s a strong example of that. Thornton was arrested and imprisoned at the age of 19 after earning a conviction for armed robbery and carjacking. His sentence lasted eight years. He was released in 2007, determined to make a better life for himself and for others.
But while Dr. K provides guidance as to how to avoid obstacles, it must deal with a few obstacles of its own. Dr. K continues to strive for the betterment of their community, finding assistance has been difficult. It has hosted a “Stop the Violence” summit as well as youth social events featuring DJs and concessions.
Much of the non-profit’s funding has come out of pocket, and Thornton said a source of frustration has been an inability to earn grants or assistance.
“Grants, aids, technical training, we want to offer our people the best, but it’s a strain without any kind of outside backing,” Thornton said. “Unfortunately, we’ve looked around and seen organizations pass us over and go outside of our parish.”
He said he believes that has to do with the history of himself and others behind the project.
“It’s unfortunate,” he said. “We’re not animals. We’ve been long removed from that part of our lives. We’re trying to help others not make those same mistakes.”
For more information on the Dr. K Movement, visit its facebook page, call 504-534-5310 or e-mail 4DrKmovement@gmail.com.
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