Samuel Hawkins Spotlight: It Takes a Village
Samuel Hawkins brings to TeamChild a vision for youth justice grounded in humanity and positive representation. Shaped by lived experience, he is committed to guiding young people toward a better path. Sam’s childhood was marked by profound challenges that would mold who he is today. His father was involved in the criminal justice system and was tragically murdered when Sam was just 13. The loss left deep emotional wounds that Sam would spend years unpacking, transforming pain into growth.
Less than a year after his father’s death, Sam entered the juvenile justice system and served three separate terms at Juvenile Rehabilitation. That path ultimately led to a 25-year prison sentence. Reflecting on that time, Sam says, “When I got out, I had to start my life. Things I’m learning at 45 and 50, I should have learned at 20 to 25.” Today, he speaks directly to young people facing similar struggles: “When I’m talking to kids, I tell them that I am you in 25 years, if you keep doing what you’re doing.” His life stands as both a warning and a possibility – a reminder that decisions matter, and change is possible.
Sam understands deeply how adverse childhood experiences shape behavior. “You don’t act out when everything is going well for you. You act out when things are going wrong,” he shares. He also speaks candidly about the toll incarceration takes on families: “A lot of times when we’re kids, we’re the ones locked up, so we don’t realize how much our parents suffer.” Through his work, Sam emphasizes that it truly takes a village. Not every young person feels safe confiding in a parent, which makes mentorship – especially from adults who reflect their lived experience – critical. “This is something I think every adult should devote… I don’t care if it’s an hour a week dedicated to the kids. It takes a village.” At TeamChild, Sam lives that belief, offering young people a safe space to be heard and supported through difficult circumstances.
As the newly elected Vice President of TeamChild’s Board of Directors, Sam brings hard-earned wisdom to decisions that directly impact youth. He was drawn to TeamChild’s holistic approach – one that goes beyond advocacy to create sustainable pathways forward. “They are there for kids in all spectrums,” he says. “Whether it’s education or the school-to-prison pipeline… TeamChild is changing the policies within the school districts and how they deal with youth.” A firm believer that all young people can thrive, Sam is dedicated to advancing TeamChild’s mission – ensuring youth involved in, or at risk of entering, the juvenile justice system have access to education, healthcare, housing, and the support they need to build positive futures.