Cash for A’s helps Iowa City teen get on track

Don Williams went from a report card full of D's and F's to one with A's. He went from a stint in juvenile detention to a return home.

The 16-year-old from Iowa City went from heading down the wrong path to possibly turning the corner.

Now, in the midst of a debate over juvenile behavior in Iowa City, he's being held up as an example that people shouldn't give up on troubled youths.

“That's just absolutely ridiculous to think that these kids don't need guidance and shown that people care about them. We all make mistakes,” said Jeff Currie.

Currie is owner of Lou Henri restaurant in Iowa City. He met Williams earlier this year, heard Williams' story and promised $25 for every A the City High 10th grader earned in school.

Earlier this month was payday - $75 for A's in math, English and history this fall. Perhaps even more impressive, Williams received a plaque from school, honoring him with a grade-point-average improvement award.

That's a big change from before. Williams said he skipped a lot of school. He got in trouble with the law, including for fighting.

“I was just trying to impress people,” he said.

He landed in juvenile detention for three weeks a few months ago, he said. Since he got out, he's participated in a court-ordered delinquency program, volunteered at the Salvation Army and participated in Children of Promise, a mentoring program for kids with family in the penal system.

That's where Williams, who has an older brother in jail, met Angie Blanchard-Manning, the coordinator of Children of Promise. She and Williams and three other boys were eating at Lou Henri one day when they met Currie. Then came the $25-per-A promise.

Two of the boys have since moved, and Williams was the only one to get A's. Currie said he'd take that return.

“As far as I'm concerned, it's pretty good,” he said. “It's better than nothing.”

Currie has extended the offer to the current trimester, with the condition that Williams not only get good grades but also stay out of trouble.

Iowa City recently approved a juvenile curfew. Debate over the topic has raged for months, ever since there were a couple of large fights on the southeast side involving kids.

At a meeting this fall, a man said he supported the curfew because he didn't believe the kids getting in trouble would participate in youth programs. That bothered some people, including Blanchard-Manning.

“They can turn it around with the help of the community supporting them, supporting their families,” she said.

Williams' mother, Mary Gunartt, who moved her family from Chicago three years ago, said her son has made positive changes in recent months.

“Not getting loud, following rules, doing what he's supposed to do,” she said.

Williams is now serving as a role model to some of his buddies, the ones he was causing trouble with. “I'm trying to tell them,” he said. “Sometimes they don't listen.”

What's he going to do with the $75? “Invest it,” he said.

He's not sure in what, but those who care about Williams are hopeful their investment in him will pay off.