Grand Rapids Youth Boxing Foundation
900 Fuller Avenue SE
Grand Rapids, Michigan 49506
Grand Rapids Youth Boxing/GR Box was founded in 2002 through the efforts of Roy Schmidt, Herschell Turner, Henry Mast, Jim Riekse, Bill Lewis, and Jose Reyna,...all former boxers or boxing fans...to provide an opportunity for inner city kids to have a positive outlet, but also as a means to support the US Amateur Golden Gloves Program. The City of Grand Rapids established a long-term lease with GR Box to operate in Martin Luther King Park and, with generous support from many individuals and companies throughout Grand Rapids, the group has been able to build and sustain a world class boxing training facility.
In this short span of time, the gym has produced five national champions, a number of local and state champions, and inspired the championship spirit in every boxer that walks in the door.
In September, 2010 Carl Kelly was hired by the board to direct the organization and enhance our formal MLK Mentoring Program. Youth from area elementary and middle schools are matched with qualified, caring adults once a week at the gym or on supervised field trips to local educational, cultural and vocational sites. Youth and mentors work together in building life skills that lead to success.