Marie King, mother of YES founder Richard Williams, outlived her son and passed away in 2018 at the age of 97. She loved people and was the beloved matriarch of her Harlem community. Richard was her only child and when he left NYC and moved to Boston to start Youth Enrichment Services, she supported him all the way.
In April 2021, Mrs. King’s estate endowed $150,000 to the Richard Williams Memorial Scholarship Fund at Youth Enrichment Services. Since 2006, 41 scholars have received over $260,000 in scholarship funds. This Mother’s Day gift will increase the number of grants to scholars in the future.
The gift was announced by Mark Williams, Marie’s grandson and a member of the board at Youth Enrichment Services. “The Richard Williams Memorial Scholarship was established to provide a brighter future to under-resourced youth who believe in themselves and want to achieve in education and community service.”
Each spring, a committee comprised of YES board members, community folks and YES alumni select several high school seniors who need financial assistance and complete the requirements. The seniors have attended the YES Academy, which has three high-impact programs: Leadership Corps, Career Exploration, and College Preparation. To apply go to https://yeskids.org/rwmscholarship/
“Mothers are special,” said Troy Harding, a 2008 YES scholar, “from as far back as I can think of, I remember my mother always telling me to give to those less fortunate than we. She taught me how to be generous in my giving and not just of my money but of my time and talent as well.”
Mother’s love and wisdom are the best gifts of all.