From troubled youth to CEO: Rockford man has a story young people need to hear

It's one thing to have your life turned around by an at-risk youth agency.

It's another to be at the helm of that agency and changing the lives of others.

That is the case for Comprehensive Community Solutions Executive Director and CEO William Chatman.

Chatman's childhood mirrors that of many of the young people enrolled in the program.

His father wasn't around much. He was 10 years old when he started hanging out with the wrong crowd. Soon, he was in and out of juvenile detention centers. He was sent to prison at 17 for a gang-related shooting.

The Chicago native served five years behind bars before he was paroled to Rockford to live with family, a turning point in Chatman's life.

"My daughter was born before I went to prison," he said. "So, I definitely wanted to be a parent that she could be proud of."

More: South Rockford youth programs give students tools to build their own future

A story to tell

Chatman had the desire to change his life around, but few opportunities.

"I wanted to own a restaurant, so I dabbled in that for a little bit," he said. "I wanted to be a teacher and run youth programs."

One day his aunt brought home a flyer for YouthBuild Rockford, a Comprehensive Community Solution program. Chatman applied and was accepted.

Through the program, Chatman met several mentors, none more influential than Oliver Reed, then the Winnebago County Health Department's violence prevention coordinator.

Reed recalled Chatman being in his early 20s and longing to make positive change in the community.

"He had a story to tell and a lot of young people needed to hear his story," Reed said.

'It takes a village'

Reed and Chatman visited middle and high schools. Chatman shared his story. He spoke openly about his past, his crimes, his time in prison and, most importantly, his life after prison.

After graduating in 2002 from the YouthBuild program, Chatman had two stints of employment with the program before he was hired as the new executive director in 2020.

A lot has changed under Chatman's leadership. He brought CCS back from the brink of bankruptcy. He has a staff of 28. The building has a new roof and HVAC system.

Chatman and his team often wear T-shirts that say, "It takes a village."

"I think this whole process from 2020 to now has been that village," he said. "It's not just a William thing. I couldn't do the work without the support."

Chris Green is a Rockford Register Star general assignment reporter. He can be reached at 815-987-1241, via email at [email protected], and Twitter @chrisfgreen.

This article originally appeared on Rockford Register Star: Rockford man finds calling at at-risk program for troubled kids