
H.O.P.E.
H.O.P.E.
DeAndre Gaston's (Coach Poo) story of H.O.P.E.
Growing up in the era when Crack was defintely an epedemic in our city of Toledo. DeAndre witnessed his young 14yr old teenage mother go through addiction and also drug dealing. She changed her life and poverty set in.
DeAndre began selling drugs but knew that is not what he wanted to do with his life. Having an Entrepenuer mindset he wanted to have his own construction business, but needed the money to do this. This led this young High School graduate, basketball player, Golden Glove Boxer on his way to college down the wrong path to get some money to fund his Constuction Business.
This landed him in prison at the young age of 18 for 16 years of his life. Almost as many years as he was alive. His prison time is an example of how you truly can be an asset to society when you come home.
DeAndre is one of the most caring person that I have met in my lifetime. He comes from a mother that is absolutely a gem a true diamond. His passion to help the underdog and help his community is what this world needs more of!!
He is a true inspiration and I am truly blessed to not only have him as my coach/trainer but even more blessed to call him my friend.