Preventing Further Incarceration, Pursuing Success, & Protecting Our Future
WildHeartz Inc. is a nonprofit with a Mission to REDUCE recidivism in urban youth; we aim to be the barrier in the "school to penitentiary" pipeline.
Help Our Cause
Your support and contributions will enable us to meet our goals in helping our youth and improving our neighborhoods. Team work makes the DREAM work.... Your generous donations will help fund our mission!!
About Us
Meet Our Board of Directors!
Our amazing board of Directors are passionate about our cause and work hard behind the scenes to make our goals a success! Each individual member has something unique to bring to the table through their own unique experiences. We believe no experience is a waste, and can be used as a teaching tool. 7 unique board members with 7 unique backgrounds and views! We take our convictions, concerns, and our desires and turn them into action. Check them out!
Our History...Why WildHeartz Inc?
Dontrell is the youngest of three in a single parent household. His challenges included an ADHD diagnosis, absent father figure in the home due to incarceration, low income household, amongst other challenges. Beginning at the age of 14 the courts were starting to get involved in his life as focusing in school and staying out of trouble became harder. He was charged many times for fighting and violent behavior in the school halls ultimately resulting in him being removed from the public school system. At age 16, Dontrell
and three of his friends were approached by an older guy and his wife, when they asked the young men if they wanted to make some money. The boys said yes on a hot summer day, they had no clue on the depth of what they were about to get themselves into. The couple coerced the young men,and made them to believe that they would "come up" if they would do what they were told. Of course all of this would sound good to a group of under privileged urban kids with idle time and Dontrell and his friends made that alarming decision to listen to the pathetic couple. The pitiful duo taught the boys a devised plan to rob several stores in surrounding neighborhoods, providing them a getaway car, masks, and weapons, the couple convinced them they would get away with the crimes. Nevertheless, After hitting two stores the boys were caught with Dontrell receiving the longest sentence ; 5 years (the remainder of his juvenile years) with at 3 1/2 years a chance a judicial release. The couple went on to rob another store solo (without the boys) where the husband met his fate... he was fatally shot and his wife was charged with his murder.
Dontrell is The "Golden Child" of WildHeartz Inc.; as to say that he is the signature prime subject of WildHeartz Inc. focus group; our aim and focus is to reduce recidivism in youth completing long-term sentences in a juvenile correctional facility (JCF) within the Ohio Department of Youth Services (ODYS). Like many youth Dontrell fits into a very specific and unique group of young men; these young men although convicted felons were tried and convicted within the juvenile system which means upon their release and completion of any court stipulations their juvenile criminal records can be sealed.
They have a actual chance at surviving and being successful in our communities! These youth that are leaving a JCF, records can be sealed and will not be held against them unless they choose to continue a life of crime. WildHeartz Inc. Mission is to provide the tools necessary for these young men's success! Upon release these young man will face many challenges; obtaining and maintaining housing and employment, mending broken relationships, just to name a few. WildHeartz Inc. mission is to intervene this pre-placed pipeline to prison and provide each troubled youth with a second chance as they should have as they transition from juvenile to adult... these youth actually have an opportunity to turn their lives around and start over receiving a view of hope and success in their future!
Dontrell is the son of WildHeartz Inc. Founder Deidra Dotson.
Our Mission
WildHeartz is committed to intervening the pre-placed pipeline to prison by providing each challenged youth with the support and tools necessary for success as they transition from juvenile to adult. While providing transitional housing, education, employment, support and love.
We focus on making the maximum positive effort for our community and would be community leaders.
We’re now in The Giving Store! The Giving Store at columbusfoundation.org is a one-stop shop for effective and easy philanthropy of any kind. Check out WildHeartz Inc. in The Giving Store to make a gift today or in the future.