Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to MAURICE WILLIAMS. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

MAURICE, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Parents can play a significant role in affecting how our lives and careers turn out – and so we think it’s important to look back and have conversations about what our parents did that affected us positive (or negatively) so that we can learn from the billions of experiences in each generation. What’s something you feel your parents did right that impacted you positively.

My parents taught me how to be respectful even when I didn’t agree with someone. My father in particular is the smartest man that I know. Why? Is it because he has several degrees or is he an accomplished celebrity? No, he’s none of these. My father taught my five brothers and I morals, integrity, and that you work for what you want. Seeing the difficulties that my grandmother was going through financially he made the decision no child should have to make and he dropped out of school while in the 7th grade to become the man of the house because his father was not present to help support his twin sister and younger brother. Till this day I often catch myself rattling off some of his famous anecdotes. I believe that he always wanted me to find my own voice in order to speak up for myself. My mother (deceased) expressly taught me how important my faith is and how it would deeply impact my life. She was a woman of many talents and often gave unselfishly of her time, talent, or monetary resources to people who were in need. As early as I can recall I used to ask her, “Why are you taking people to their interviews, why are you going to the food bank only to give it away, why do you help some many people?” Her response was always the same, she state, “This is my ministry.” And let’s not forget it would be several trips she would be taking throughout the day as she would transport people to and often from their intended destinations. All of these things she did with no title or pay. She did it because she loved people and wanted the best for everyone concerned. As a result of the examples that they provided, I knew it was imperative to serve.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

My name is Maurice Williams, I am a San Diego native and a proud retired Navy veteran. Passion for the cause of ALWAYS Ready (AR) is why our co-founder Mr. Terence L. Lee (deceased) and I established this organization. We had been involved in prior advocacy related to this cause beforehand. It was our belief that the best way to make a meaningful impact and effect positive change for all concerned. As a veteran, it was the desire to continue serving and making a positive difference. We identified a unique scope that we believed was not being addressed and often unaddressed. Terence and I have personal experience with the population that we serve, including the challenges, or issues that our non-profit organization aims to address. At AR we are compelled to help others who are going through similar experiences.

We empower underserved unemployed men identified as veterans, unsheltered, and justice-involved through Workforce Development (i.e. resumes, employment referral, and other services) to include professional attire, & peer support to inspire positive changes.

The problems that we believe that we solve with our client’s identity and self-worth. Our niche’ is that we have lived experience and that we are a local grassroots organization. Our staff can personally relate to at least one or all three of our targeted populations.

I’m most proud of our team! Nothing would be possible without them. Everyone is eager to help as much as they can. ALWAYS Ready is an ALL-volunteer non-profit organization. Although we are non-funded at the time our mission and focus is on the people we serve. I am hopeful that we will receive a grant so that we can hire some part-time staff and provide a myriad of additional services to our clients as needed.

As a non-profit organization leader, I am especially proud of the strides that we are making. It is our mission to improve the lives of individuals or communities who are marginalized and facing additional challenges. As for what potential clients, followers, and fans should know about ALWAYS Ready we value people and partnerships, but in order to help more people we need your help!

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

I believe that being genuine and operating in the spirit of integrity within the Workforce Development space has attributed greatly to this space. Secondly, it’s key to have worthwhile relationships, collaborations, meetings, and helping your colleagues. However, a majority key to relationship building is that it takes time, trust, effort, and consistency.

How’d you meet your business partner?

I met Mr. Terence L. Lee (deceased) in 2014 while attending Total Deliverance Worship Center, in Spring Valley, California. Coincidentally he and I joined the congregation that same day and were in the new member’s class. From my recollection, the classes lasted five weeks, and he did the majority of the talking between him and the instructor. I kept asking myself, “Who is this dude, and why is he still talking?” The funny thing is he did not like me, and the feeling was mutual. A couple of years passed and we found ourselves attending the same classes on Sunday and Wednesday respectively.

Ultimately we started a conversation and began sharing some of our trials and identified that we were more similar than the opposite. We ultimately became best friends realizing that the two of us have lived experience in one or three of ALWAYS Ready’s target populations. In 2015, he and I began forming a non-profit organization and in 2017 we officially formed the business but it wasn’t a non-profit yet. As we were in the process of taking the next steps to become a non-profit Terence’s health began to decline. He passed away in January 2018, I was devastated and took a 10 hiatus from building the organization because our co-founder passed away and I felt like giving up. But with support from Terence’s mother Mrs. Janet Fulcher, my wife Michelle I. Williams, and Diocesan Bishop Dr. William A. Benson we were instrumental in the continuance of becoming a tax-exempt non-profit we were awarded our letter of approval from the IRS in July 2019.

On February 11, 2023, we launched the Terence L. Lee Scholarship for individuals who are pursuing post-secondary education. This award will assist ALWAYS Ready participants to obtain tools, equipment, & training certifications, while
ensuring participants are provided with the appropriate professional attire for interviews, transportation assistance and other employment-related needs.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://alwaysreadysd.org
• Instagram: always.ready.sd
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alwaysreadysd.org