Future Citizens
Foundation Gives
Youth a Great Star t
B Y B R E T T W I L B U R
W
hen Bill Shelton was growing up in
public housing in Detroit, he took a
car out for a joyride and was promptly pulled
over by a police officer. Shelton, now CEO of
the Future Citizens Foundation, says he was
fortunate that the policeman took an interest
in him and mentored him to success, which
resulted in a full college scholarship, and ulti-
mately, an MBA.
"I could have had a different life in store for
me if it wasn't for him," he says.
After playing college football, Shelton enjoyed
a successful career with professional sports
teams and ran multiple community service
organizations.
At FCF, he leads a nonprofit that oversees
The First Tee of Monterey County youth golf
program which develops life skills.
"You teach them integrity," Shelton says.
"Many youth we serve grow up in challenging
environments with certain poverty and educa-
tional imbalances and lack of opportunities."
In addition, FCF is the umbrella for the Taylor
Farms Center for Learning, a STEAM-related
program, along with Pay it Forward, a scholar-
ship and mentoring program for first generation
college students.
"Organizations like ours provide a safe haven
to be productive in," Shelton says, "and provide
the role models and life skills to help young peo-
ple make better decisions to change their lives."
For more information, go to www.fcf-ca.org.
SHORTCUTS
GIVING BACK
The First Tee partnered with pro Annika Sorenstam's charity to offer a girls'
golf clinic during the 2019 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach.
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