For more than twenty years, Coach Williams has led children up the steps of “The Center”, a community facility in the heart of Wilmington’s West Side where he played basketball with elementary, middle and high school kids on a daily basis inspiring them to find their purpose. After retiring from basketball, John was determined to uplift his community and to inspire and mentor young children. John “Coach” Williams is a well known figure in Delaware, and especially in Wilmington where he pours into communities with a history of violence and poverty. He launched “Join JL Now” (Joinjlnow.com) and sponsors local residents by providing mentoring, inspiration and all the resources that unites a community and uplifts an individual. Pick a time, pick a day to join JL NOW for a day of fun and fellowship. John’s purpose is to reach every individual through his programs in hopes of exposing their life’s purpose.

John JL “Coach” Williams has had a passion for working with children for more than 30 years since returning home from South America where he played professional basketball after college. As a humble resident of Wilmington, Delaware, he understood very early on that growth opportunities for young people would improve if they had a supportive mentor on their side to help them see their life’s bigger picture. As a child he was labeled as having a learning disability and yearned to prove to the world that he was as great as any other child. From middle school, high school and on to college, JL succeeded in sports and academics, shattering those negative stereotypes labeled upon him. However, his success was not a solo venture, he was uplifted and mentored by many great men and women throughout his life. Coach understood he had a responsibility to pay it forward, to invest his time and resources to support the youth in his community; the youth who reminded him of himself. He established “The Save the Seed Foundation” to do just that. For more than 30 years John JL “Coach” Williams has invested his time, energy and resources into the youth in his community by launching after school programs and funding local children’s events and support, JL Now has the potential to bring hope and inspiration to young people and help them find their purpose and achieve their full potential.