Malika Williams - The L.I.V.E. Outreach

The L.I.V.E. Outreach

By Terry L. Watson

Photos Provided by Malika Williams

She is committed to addressing the needs of her community. Whether it be in the form of volunteering or sharing her resources, Malika Williams is there for it.

Born and raised in Detroit, MI, Malika was originally a foster child. “I went to foster care when I was 14. During that time, it was really hard for me to get placement, mainly because families weren’t interested in taking in teens. By the time I was 16, I was pregnant; when I turned 17, I was incarcerated. I vowed to do better, guide others to become productive regardless of their situation, and spread love,” she says. Malika’s experiences fuel her desire to make a difference and show others that opportunities exist beyond what they see.

Malika attended and graduated from Phillip Murray Wright High School. Next, she received an associate degree from McCone Community College in Business Administration. In 2020, she graduated from Ferris State University with a bachelor’s degree in Integrative Studies. Today, Malika is the Executive Director and founder of L.I.V.E. Outreach. The areas of focus for The L.I.V.E. Outreach are education, responsibility and accountability, mentoring, sex education, ACT/SAT preparation, financial literacy, volunteering, resume and cover letter preparation, goal setting, and more.

Malika believes that education is a key component to a successful future. “It is essential that The L.I.V.E Outreach provides each child with the necessary resources to their individual need.” In regard to accountability, she emphasizes that children must understand that failure is not an option and that success is a choice. “Having a positive attitude with a determined mindset is what we practice. No matter your background or situation,” she says.

I went to foster care when I was 14. By the time I was 16, I was pregnant; when I turned 17, I was incarcerated.

L.I.V.E. is very active in the Detroit community. Launched in 2014, they conduct community clean-ups, feed people experiencing homelessness, and mentor the youth, and within the last year, they’ve expanded their program to include males between the ages of 12 and 17. Furthermore, L.I.V.E. is designed for individuals representing a younger version of herself. “Our mission is to contribute and sustain adequate resources and tools for children and their families in our communities. L.I.V.E. utilizes all available resources to ensure we give the proper tools to children that will enable them to become successful, productive adults,” she says.

Originally, Malika started by volunteering at Vista Maria, a facility where she was once housed. “I mentored there and helped in any area I could. That experience was very fulfilling, and soon, I began looking for ways to do more. That is how my program was created,” she says. “We began by helping young teens, young women specifically, who were transitioning from foster care to independent living.”

One of the partnerships that L.I.V.E. Outreach has is with Wayne State University, which has provided various resources for L.I.V.E., along with volunteers and more. What Malika loves most about what she does is having an impact on those she serves. “It’s not always on the individuals I serve, it’s also on those who are seeking to do something similar to me,” she says.

What is next for Malika and L.I.V.E. Outreach? Her answer is to do her part to restore love and hope in her community. “There is a lot of blight in Detroit. There are a lot of empty buildings. I hope to gain funding and create a hub for our youth. There are only a few recreational centers available. The downtown scene has changed. When visitors come here, they may be blown away. In one part of the city, it looks one way, but if you travel to another part, it looks totally different. I want to secure a solid foundation and help more people,” she says.

If you want to do what Malika does, you must be consistent. Detroit is not an easy city to succeed in Malika says. "You have to be patient and tough. Proper planning prevents poor performance."

For those who like to learn more about L.I.V.E. Outreach, please visit their website.

www.liveoutreach.org