Dante Calloway is all in for the same program that helped him as a kid at James Deanman Beacon.
The Solano County resident is no stranger to the neighborhood. Growing up in the Ocean View-Merced Heights-Ingleside, Calloway went to James Denman Middle School and Leadership High School and participated in after-school programs. However, Denman was special. He returned as an adult in a safety and support role, thanks to staff who encouraged him to apply, and is now the interim director of youth and family programs at the school’s Beacon after-school and resource program.
“I've never really seen myself doing youth development, but I continue to learn and understand throughout the years that I had a niche for this thing, that I had a gift with it to be able to continue to inspire the next generation,” Calloway said. “It's literally been, I would say, satisfying. I can't thank this community enough for everything that it's done for me.”
The 36-year-old leads the youth and family program with one goal: to pay it forward. His mentality behind the work is to value oneself and help others.
Calloway’s community work also extends outside of the James Denman Beacon program. He assisted A Living Library founder Bonnie Ora Sherk in creating the first A Living Library program and garden at Denman.
“I am committed to this community because it's been so joyful to me and really helped me kind of along the path and the journey that I went on,” Calloway said. “I'm committed and know that if it's given me this much success and joy, that I can do the same with everyone else.”
The Ingleside Light caught up with Calloway to hear more about his journey at Denman Beacon.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
What does a typical day look like?
I oversee prevention services. We do a lot of substance abuse prevention for elementary-age to high school-age youth, as well as providing family programs. What that looks like for me is continuing to meet with my team to make sure that we provide the program to the fidelity of what our contractors expect us to, making sure that we're in compliance. I oversee the budget, and I'm making budget plans so that we can have enough funding for whatever essential items are needed, whether that be us making sure we have stipends, incentives or anything that will continue to encourage the families to want to come to our program. Those are just the things to continue to recruit them and keep them, but the most valuable thing that they can get is the information. I'll meet with my team to continue to encourage them on different ways to retain participants and families.
Do you have a favorite memory from being a part of Denman Beacon over the years?
There are so many different people that I met and grew up with and learned from, and to be honest with you, I can't think of one particular memory. Just coming here and just kind of getting the goosebumps of, “I remember when I was in this space and the things that I would do.” I remember when I was on this basketball court and the shots that I used to put up, and I think every day it's just kind of ebbs and flows for me, to where it's just jogs another memory of something that I've done, or either walking toward the auditorium or the gym or going to the teen center. It continues to be like, “Oh yeah, I remember when I used to do this.” I remember that program leader when they taught me how to shoot pool, or how to be able to shoot a basket, or how to be able to do any kind of ironing press, whatever they used to call it, on a shirt, so just building community. Those are the most fond memories that I have here. I wouldn't necessarily just say work relationship, but just lifetime memories.
What's one piece of advice you have for someone who wants to get involved in their community?
I would say just do it. It's kind of like Nike, they always say just do it. I would say that a lot of people say the sky is the limit, but the way that I view things is that there are no limits and no boundaries to anything that you're able to do that you put your mind to doing, and if you really want to get involved in this community, then find those stakeholders who will give you a chance. I found the stakeholder. The YMCA continued to birth me into this thing here, and they've given me multiple different opportunities to be able to climb the ladder, to continue to train me, teach me and develop me in the skill sets that I needed.
