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Two digits have played sad parts in the life of Tyrique Glasgow, 11, the amount of gunshot wounds he has received, and five, the total years he spent incarcerated for drug distribution. The resident of the 1500 block of South Etting Street, however, seems destined to focus on the number one, as that will teach everyone about each individual’s potential.
“This could sound odd but I’m glad I went away,” the 30-year-old Grays Ferry dweller said. “It was as if God were giving me a timeout to let me know that if I continued my behavior, the repercussions could have become far worse.”
Upon returning from prison, Glasgow grew frustrated with the dwindled integrity of his neighborhood, with November 2011 yielding the creation of the Young Chances Foundation. Deriving its name from his grandmother, Roberta Chance, the organization operates out of Vare Recreation Center, 2600 Morris St., and reinforces the desire to strengthen and offer the same sort of acceptance to community inhabitants that his female relative made her philosophy.
“I dealt with the negative for so long that I wondered how hard it would be to consider the positive, especially for the sake of our children,” Glasgow, a father of two, said of assisting hundreds of youngsters through athletics and performing arts endeavors. “They’re learning choices are free, but consequences are not.”
Glasgow preaches accountability primarily through Young Chances’ initiatives Communities Unite Together, or CUT, and How U Survive Through Life Everyday, or HUSTLE, the latter an especially important means to reach young males, whom he certainly does not wish to succumb to negativity. Knowing danger can lurk anywhere, he considers his work far from over, with new faces meeting his countenance each day.
“Pride brought me bad results years ago, but now, I’m proud to be working to accomplish something far bigger than me, and I need to humble myself and go inspire goals and aspirations,” Glasgow said.
He is fulfilling his promise by studying business administration at Peirce College. Fond of believing everything happens for a reason, he sees his difference maker commendation as proof of the benefits of doing good.
“It’s really not hard to go out and be different,” Glasgow said. “There’s more to lose by sticking with the status quo.”
Contact Managing Editor Joseph Myers at jmyers@southphillyreview.com or ext. 124.
2013 Difference Makers
/ Bruce Baldwin / Anthony Benedetto Sr. / Lou Berman / Beth Coleman /
/ Diane DellaVella / Phyllis DiLemmo /
/ Roe and Jim Gallo / Tyrique Glasgow / Ali Hackett / Deborah Holmes /
/ Kat Kendon / Harry McKay / Jaime Pannone / Juanita Perkins-Qui /
/ Gaetano Piccirilli / Megan Rosenbach / Ted Scairato Sr /
/ Rich Sisman / Dan Stevenson / Paula Terreri / Lynn Oakes West / Lawrence Whitaker / Robert Wilbowe / Ilene Wilder /
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