If you ask U.S. Army Major (Ret.) Henry H. Washington III ’21 EBV about the experiences that set him up for success as a youngster, he will credit three things:

• • loving parents,
  • a never-miss-church-on-Sunday ethic,
  • participation in every sports team available, all which kept him busy, tired, and out of trouble and
  • a “village’’ of people who cared about him.

Today he is the Founder and CEO of the Henry H. Washington 3 Foundation, which serves to better the lives of children, teens and young adults in metro Atlanta. The foundation offers a wide range of services, but is particularly focused on helping youth find a career path, stay out of trouble, and serve the community.

“My purpose is to ensure that I educate our youth in the seven core leadership values— leadership, loyalty, respect, honor, integrity, personal courage and selfless service–and help them find a career, not just a job,’’ Washington said. “Some of these men and women jump around to 10 different jobs. They have no career and that’s when they end up committing burglaries and robbing people to get money.’’

To date, the foundation has helped 4,200 young people, primarily from ages 9 to 19 with value development, as well as older adults, up to age 50, who are searching for career paths.

“Our organization is focused on ensuring that we make heaven bigger. That’s the ultimate goal,’’ Washington said. “You never know the date and time when you’ll be called home!’’

Washington Wins Top Veteran Entrepreneurship Alumni Award

Washington was a participant in UConn’s Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans Alumni Event in late September. The program welcomed some 40 previous veteran participants to reconnect and share their successes in forming or growing a business.

Washington won the pitch competition and received $5,000, which he will apply to his foundation. In addition to the competition, the EBV alumni engaged in sessions led by top business advisers, who shared insights about funding, government contracting and business growth.

“This was by far the best event in terms of turnout and overall response from participants,’’ said Nick Martinelli, EBV program manager. “Some of the alums hadn’t seen each other in 10 years and instantly connected as old friends. The unity, camaraderie, immediate acceptance was awesome.’’

“It was really great to see the grads come back and embracing EBV. It shows how important this program is and the passion for it is very evident,’’ he said. “I was proud of the fact they were as appreciative as they were. It really reinforced the idea that we are doing this right.’’

The EBV program is under the auspices of the School’s Connecticut Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship. The event was made possible by a generous matching gift from Professor Emeritus Tom O’Brien of the Finance Department.

During His Military Service, Washington Devised Foundation Business Plan

Washington enlisted in the military after completing high school, and served for 26 years. He retired as a Major in U.S. Army, after serving as a military police officer, criminal investigations commander, and in special operations. During that time, he completed both his bachelors and master’s degrees, and also recently earned a doctorate in business management and strategic leadership. He also fought a two-year battle against prostate cancer (“a heavyweight fight”) and that is also a cause he champions.

The concept for the foundation began when Washington was stationed in South Korea. After witnessing how that country mandates two years of military service for young men, Washington created a business plan based on the benefits of structure for young adults.

“I sensed a need for that here. I’m the oldest of eight children. I had to be that mentor and leader in my family,’’ he said. “I saw a lot of young people going to jail in my community. By 15 or 16 they were ‘in the system.’ I kept wondering, ‘What is the problem? And how can I fix it?’”

The Foundation’s summer bootcamp, for children and teens 9 to 19, is part of that solution.

“We don’t shave any heads,’’ Washington said, chuckling. “But we do have them doing pushups. We yell if we have to. We’re making them do what they need to do.’’

“My goal is to change the mindset of our children, help them understand that we know growing up and getting to know yourself is tough, but there are rules to follow to stay out of jail, to not get hurt or get killed,’’ he said.

Washington said his work is not only empowering young people but that it gives his own life greater clarity. “People who don’t know their purpose in life are not clear about what they want, and therefore waste their time on mediocre things,’’ he said.

Among its attributes, the EBV program helped Washington enhance his presentations.

“I’ve always been a speaker. People say, ‘You have a pastor’s voice.’ But EBV helped me refine the way I present, and better explain my processes, and my priorities,’’ he said. “I was taught how to be more quick and concise in my presentations.’’

Program Enhances UConn Pride

O’Brien, a longtime supporter of the EBV, said it was clearly beneficial for the EBV alumni to reconnect and many said they were rejuvenated.

“Morale was very high at the reunion,’’ he said. “This group is able to get and maintain a sense of business support and community and the emotional support that only other veterans can give them. That is a core part of the value of the program too.’’

O’Brien said he met many interesting veterans, including Elisa Glass ’21 EBV, who is the CEO and President of Myositis & Allied Diseases, a nonprofit committed to advocating for, bringing awareness to and educating patients and caregivers confronting the disease. She is also a Caregiver Fellow at the Elizabeth Dole Foundation. O’Brien said she was inspiring.

O’Brien gave $25,000 to a matching challenge to help pay for the program and transportation and others matched his contribution during a recent fundraiser. He credits the EBV program’s success to the late director Michael Zacchea, who he described as an extraordinary leader.

“It is a real plus for UConn to have the EBV program be so strong,’’ O’Brien said. “The more that UConn folks know about the EBV, the prouder they can be of their university. One of my friends at the University of North Carolina, who contributed to the program, said to me: ‘What UConn is doing for veterans, all universities should be doing!’’’