Growing up in San Pablo, Demetrius McCoy spent his early years playing sports at Shields Reid Community Park in North Richmond before starring as an athlete and student playing football for Coach Lee Fletcher at Richmond High School.
Life changed in 2008 when a shooting left him paralyzed, plunging him into a period of hardship where he struggled with alcohol and drugs. The tragedy deepened in 2016 when he lost his baby sister, Alaysia McCoy, and his niece, Faith McCoy, to gun violence.
Faced with those losses, McCoy turned his life around by finding faith. He recently graduated from Berkeley Adult School and is now attending Contra Costa College.
That turnaround led to a deep commitment to his community. While wheelchair-bound, he serves as a dedicated coach with the San Pablo Baseball Association, the San Pablo Cowboys Youth Association, and the Richmond Steelers Football & Cheer. McCoy is using his own experiences to help local kids stay away from gun violence and bad choices, according to San Pablo Baseball Association President Andre L. Williams Sr.
“Despite his physical challenges, he continues to serve our youth program with commitment, positivity, and leadership,” Williams said. “His dedication to mentoring children through sports has made a meaningful impact on the lives of many young players and families within our community.”
Behind the scenes, McCoy has been dealing with transportation and equipment issues that make it difficult to get to his classes and appointments.
“Due to his current financial and transportation challenges, we are respectfully requesting assistance with gas and transportation-related expenses through the Department of Rehabilitation or any available supportive services program,” Williams said. “Assistance with transportation costs would greatly help him continue serving our organization and the children who depend on his mentorship and guidance.”
Supporters are rallying to help him keep doing his work on the field and in the classroom. Anyone who wants to help can reach out to the organization at [email protected] or donate through Cash App at $MoneyMccoy88.
