Making a difference in and out of ring

On the corner of Congress and West Street in New Haven there's a small boxing ring looking to make a big difference for kids in urban communities.

Brian Clark runs and operates Ring One, a boxing refuge for many inner city youth. For most it's a second home, a place they come to escape some of life's harshest realities.

"A lot of kids are victims to this environment and this gym is a way out," boxer Russell Blackwell said. "I grew up in this area."

"We live in the hood," Tramaine Williams said. "(The challenges are) everything -- violence, drugs, anything -- but when you come here its nothing. We just box. That's it."

Boxing, for many of these kids, is their only positive outlet.

"The beauty of this program is its simplicity," Clark said.

Ring One is a non-profit organization that gives kids options, helping kids find their inner voice in hopes to lead them down a different path, a path built on strength, courage and greater self esteem.

Clark is a surrogate father for a lot of these kids."It didn't start doing it for that, it just kind of evolved that way," he said. "Everyone needs someone that cares about them."

Williams said he can forget about everything else when he comes to Ring One. "You can just train. You don't have to worry about nothing."

"This is where I go. it helps me get stronger," boxer Justin Triado said. "I used to not be so self confident and not feel good about myself ... I love coming here."

As we inch closer to the holidays it's fair to say that many of us are taking a closer look at how we are impacting the lives around us, even Brian. He's most thankful for the success of his kids.

"I'm certainly no hero, but when a kid does well it just makes you feel good," he said.

This is the program in which light-weight champion of the world Chad Dawson trained.

Ring One survives on donations from people and businesses. For more information on how you can make a donation call 203-787-1200. The gym is at 790 Congress Ave. in New Haven.