Today we’d like to introduce you to Valerie Welch.
Hi Valerie , we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
For as long as I can remember, community work has always been a part of my life. As a young girl, I watched my mother, Effie Welch, and Roxie Price work tirelessly through the Action City Block Club to help strengthen our neighborhood and support the people within it. I was around 16 years old when I officially became involved, but honestly, I always had a seat at the table because my mother was deeply active in the community. Back then, block clubs and community involvement went hand in hand with civic engagement and local politics because involved people cared about what happened in their neighborhoods and they showed up.
One of my first major experiences was working on the political campaign for Prosecuting Attorney Arthur A. Bush, and we won. That experience taught me a lot about leadership, organizing, and the power of people coming together. But while politics was a great experience, my heart was never truly in the political arena. My passion was always rooted in community awareness, neighborhood pride, and finding ways to help make our communities safer, stronger, and more connected.
Over time, the block club era slowly faded as community involvement changed, people became less engaged, and eventually Roxie Price passed away. But even though that season faded, my passion for community work never did. I attended college, but I ultimately found myself returning to my roots and the work that had always been placed in my heart. That is what led to the creation of Do It With Attitude, Inc. (D.I.W.A.).
The beginning stages were slow. I spent several years simply learning how the nonprofit world operated, building relationships, understanding programming, and trying to find direction. One of the turning points came when I partnered with Keep Genesee County Beautiful and became a park adopter. That opportunity opened doors to additional partnerships and small grant opportunities through organizations such as the Community Foundation of Greater Flint. At that time, we were receiving small mini-grants, doing park programming, and slowly building trust and visibility within the community.
In 2018, I officially applied for D.I.W.A.’s 501(c)(3) nonprofit status, which was awarded in 2019. That was a major milestone because it opened even more opportunities for growth, funding, and expanded programming. As the organization continued to grow, I realized we needed a consistent home for our programming, which led to partnerships with our local church and the Flint Housing Commission. From there, the official launch of the A Healthier YOUth initiative began.
A Healthier YOUth was created from the belief that children will one day become adults, so we should intentionally expose them to leadership, mentorship, wellness, entrepreneurship, discipline, and positive life experiences that prepare them for the future. Over time, additional programs developed from that vision. The Embrace Program was created to help individuals and families experiencing hardship by providing support based on available resources, whether that is cleaning supplies, groceries, household assistance, or other needs. We also launched YEP, our Young Entrepreneur Program, to expose youth to business development, leadership, and workforce readiness. Most recently, we created Drive to Excel, which connects inner-city female youth to golf, etiquette, leadership development, confidence-building, and opportunities they may not otherwise have access to.
Every program we provide is designed with purpose. It is never just about activities or entertainment. It is about helping youth grow into productive, confident, capable adults while building stronger connections within the community.
Today, in 2026, D.I.W.A. continues to grow in ways I could have never imagined when this journey first began. The organization has maintained its 501(c)(3) status since 2019 and has continued building strong natural supports and trusted relationships throughout the community. Families and participants genuinely look forward to our programming every year because they know they are entering a safe, supportive, dependable, and caring environment.
When I look back over the past 20 years of service, it all goes back to watching my mother care deeply for the community and seeing firsthand how one person’s passion can impact so many lives. That foundation helped shape who I am today, and it continues to inspire the work D.I.W.A. does every single day.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Surprisingly, the journey of building and growing D.I.W.A. has overall been a smooth and rewarding experience. Of course, like any organization rooted in real community work, we have faced some challenges along the way, but most of those situations became opportunities for growth, relationship-building, and problem solving.
One of our more memorable challenges happened during COVID while we were actively involved with our Keep Genesee County Beautiful park adoption efforts. Like many organizations, COVID impacted how we operated. During that time, we shifted some of our activities to drive-up health fairs and modified programming, so we were not physically present in the park as consistently as we normally were. Once restrictions eased and we returned to the park, there were some neighborhood youth who had become very territorial over the space and attempted to claim the park as their own boundary area.
Instead of escalating the situation, we took time to explain who we were, why we were there, and what our purpose was within the community. We engaged in conversation, problem solved with the youth, and ultimately invited them to participate in the event. What could have become a major issue actually turned into something positive. Those same youth eventually became supporters of the program and even helped us keep the park clean, welcoming, and safe for the community.
Another challenge involved a large amount of broken glass and trash left throughout the park after a yearly fireworks event hosted nearby. Rather than creating conflict, I spoke directly with the neighbor responsible for the event, and together we worked toward a solution to help ensure the park would be cleaned and maintained after future gatherings. That experience reinforced the importance of communication, collaboration, and community accountability.
One of the most rewarding moments came during our most recent A Healthier YOUth Back-to-School event. We planned for approximately 150–200 participants, but well over 300 people attended. It was honestly a “good problem” to have because it tested everything we had been teaching our youth regarding leadership, teamwork, communication, and responsibility. I personally became tied up managing the sign-in area because of the overwhelming turnout, but I watched the youth independently facilitate their booths, assist families, engage with participants, and keep activities running smoothly. I was genuinely amazed and proud watching them step up in real time.
For the most part, the journey has gone very well. D.I.W.A. has continued to grow through relationship-building, community trust, consistency, and a genuine commitment to serving people. Many of the challenges we faced ultimately strengthened the organization and deepened our connection with the community we serve.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I have been employed with Genesee Health System (GHS) for over 25 years, and prior to that I worked with Michigan Community Service for approximately 8 years. The majority of my professional career has centered around serving individuals with varying cognitive, emotional, and behavioral needs, which has given me extensive hands-on experience working with people from many different backgrounds and levels of functioning.
I began my career during a very transitional period when many individuals were being released from institutions such as Oakdale and transitioning into group home and community-based settings. At that time, the work required patience, adaptability, advocacy, and strong problem-solving skills because many systems and supports were still evolving. Although it was challenging, I embraced the challenge and became a strong advocate for the individuals I served. That experience helped shape my passion for service, community support, and helping people navigate difficult circumstances with dignity and respect.
While this has been my professional career, the experience has also played a major role in shaping how I operate within the nonprofit world through Do It With Attitude, Inc. Working closely with individuals and families over the years has strengthened my ability to communicate effectively, problem solve, remain compassionate, and build meaningful relationships within the community.
One thing I am most proud of is my customer service and people skills. No matter the situation or challenge a person may be facing, I believe in treating people with respect and providing a positive, professional, and supportive experience. I am very intentional in the work that I do and strive to create environments where people feel heard, valued, supported, and encouraged.
What sets me apart is my consistency, real-life experience, ability to connect with people from all walks of life, and my genuine passion for helping others. I believe people can tell when someone truly cares, and I think that authenticity and commitment have helped build trust both professionally and within the community through D.I.W.A.
How do you define success?
Success is not a world standard — it is a personal standard. To me, success is taking one step at a time and becoming better than you were the day before. It is about listening, learning, and applying opportunities for growth to yourself first instead of focusing on others. I believe success is built through purpose, integrity, intentional choices, and the willingness to keep moving forward no matter where you start in life. I also believe people should never compare their success to others because every journey is different, and sometimes “no” simply means “not yet.”
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.doitwithattitude.org
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100068575361915
