At Khali Sweeney's Downtown Boxing Gym Youth Program in Detroit, around 100 children get training and academic tutoring five days a week. Sweeney, a high school dropout who was "always getting into trouble, always fighting," turned his life around. He began mentoring at-risk and troubled kids. His efforts have landed him on the <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2Fspecials%2Fcnn-heroes">2017 list of top 10 CNN Heroes</a>.
At Khali Sweeney's Downtown Boxing Gym Youth Program in Detroit, around 100 children get training and academic tutoring five days a week. Sweeney, a high school dropout who was "always getting into trouble, always fighting," turned his life around. He began mentoring at-risk and troubled kids. His efforts have landed him on the 2017 list of top 10 CNN Heroes.
John Nowak/CNN
Sweeney has long had a passion for boxing, and he realized it could help young people develop discipline in other areas of life. What started as free lessons and mentoring, all paid out of his own pocket, is today a 27,000 square foot gym. It may look like a typical boxing gym at first glance, but the tutoring tables, computers and books give it away. Sweeney's motto is "Books before boxing."
Sweeney has long had a passion for boxing, and he realized it could help young people develop discipline in other areas of life. What started as free lessons and mentoring, all paid out of his own pocket, is today a 27,000 square foot gym. It may look like a typical boxing gym at first glance, but the tutoring tables, computers and books give it away. Sweeney's motto is "Books before boxing."
John Nowak/CNN
Where some might see children with academic or disciplinary issues, Sweeney sees potential. "I don't see bad kids. I see a kid who hasn't been heard yet. So, let's find out what's really going on. I see the true potential in the kids. If you get this kid the necessary tools, the resources, if you show this kid the extra time, he wants to be successful," he said.
Where some might see children with academic or disciplinary issues, Sweeney sees potential. "I don't see bad kids. I see a kid who hasn't been heard yet. So, let's find out what's really going on. I see the true potential in the kids. If you get this kid the necessary tools, the resources, if you show this kid the extra time, he wants to be successful," he said.
John Nowak/CNN
Sweeney, who had an unstable home life and sought a makeshift family on the streets as a youth, wants the gym to feel like home for a young boxer. "We want to boost each other up around here all the time. I want a kid to feel that when he walks in the door, that he's a part of a family, a real family."
Sweeney, who had an unstable home life and sought a makeshift family on the streets as a youth, wants the gym to feel like home for a young boxer. "We want to boost each other up around here all the time. I want a kid to feel that when he walks in the door, that he's a part of a family, a real family."
John Nowak/CNN
The space is about letting young people age 7-18 fulfill their potential in academics, athletics and other activities. Sweeney and his team are dedicated to mentoring the youth into success as long as their path is positive.
The space is about letting young people age 7-18 fulfill their potential in academics, athletics and other activities. Sweeney and his team are dedicated to mentoring the youth into success as long as their path is positive.
John Nowak/CNN
Physical discipline can go hand-in-hand with academic success. Sweeney and his team work to reinforce routines for the program participants.
Physical discipline can go hand-in-hand with academic success. Sweeney and his team work to reinforce routines for the program participants.
John Nowak/CNN
Boxing teaches physical and mental strategy, important elements in the classroom and in the outside world.
Boxing teaches physical and mental strategy, important elements in the classroom and in the outside world.
John Nowak/CNN
So far, at least 267 students have completed the program. All of them, according to Sweeney, have graduated high school, and 98% have gone on to college.
So far, at least 267 students have completed the program. All of them, according to Sweeney, have graduated high school, and 98% have gone on to college.
John Nowak/CNN