About Us

Image
Image

The Founder’s Story

I was born and raised in Fort Lauderdale, Florida—the oldest of four kids, and like many, I grew up learning how to survive in a world that didn’t always play fair. My journey hasn’t been smooth, but it’s real. The streets taught me lessons I’ll never forget, and life kept handing me obstacles that could’ve easily broken me. I’ve been a single father. I’ve experienced homelessness. But even in the struggle, I’ve always had a gift—a natural ability to figure things out, to create something out of nothing.

That survival instinct turned into an entrepreneurial spirit. Since 2009, I’ve been finding ways to build something meaningful out of every opportunity. I launched my first official business in 2013—an online consignment store that my wife and I ran for five years. In 2017, I opened a barbecue restaurant that served more than food—it was about community. COVID-19 took a toll and forced us to close, but it didn’t end the dream. I tried to launch my nonprofit soon after, but without a team, it stayed an idea on paper.

In 2022, I opened a mechanic shop, and that’s where I’ve been grinding ever since. But my real heartbeat has always been for our youth. I know what it’s like to grow up without direction, without resources, and without someone who believes in you. That’s why I started Building S.T.A.R.S.—to give the next generation the tools, the mindset, and the support I had to figure out on my own.

I don’t have a cookie-cutter story, and that’s the point. My life is about turning pain into purpose, and hustle into healing—for myself and for others. I’m here to build, to teach, and most of all, to give.

Our Mission & Vision

Our vision is to build a transformative youth development campus where children from underserved communities can grow into confident, capable leaders. In the next 5 to 10 years, Building S.T.A.R.S. will expand into a fully immersive program that combines hands-on learning in life skills, financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and sustainable living with a supportive, faith-rooted community.

We envision:
At Building S.T.A.R.S., Inc., our mission is to empower youth to achieve personal excellence by helping them recognize, develop, and apply essential life and career skills. We guide young people as they prepare for life beyond high school —mentoring them to set goals, stay disciplined, and maintain a positive attitude.

Through a hands-on, values-based approach, we expose our members to real world issues and equip them with tools to succeed—academically, professionally, and personally. Our programs provide education in financial literacy, career exploration, problem-solving, and practical skills such as manners, morals, work ethics, and decision-making.

Our goal is to mentor future leaders who are not only equipped to cope with life but are also prepared to thrive, contribute meaningfully to their communities, and confidently pursue the careers they choose.

Because investing in them is investing in our future.

Start donating poor people

Frequently Asked Questions

It is a long established fact that a reader will be distracted by the readable the a content of a page when looking at its layout. Many desktop publishing packages and web page editors.

It is a long established fact that a reader will be distracted by the readable the a content of a page when looking at its layout. Many desktop publishing packages and web page editors.

It is a long established fact that a reader will be distracted by the readable the a content of a page when looking at its layout. Many desktop publishing packages and web page editors.

It is a long established fact that a reader will be distracted by the readable the a content of a page when looking at its layout. Many desktop publishing packages and web page editors.

Our valuable customer
Awesome Feedback

Charity is the voluntary act of giving help, typically in the form of money, time, or resources, to those in need. Charitable organizations aim to solve social, environmental, and economic challenges by addressing issues like poverty
Michel Smith

Cloth Store Inc.