When Cleveland native Eisha Jones looked around her hometown as a middle school student, she saw a need — a lack of activities and safe spaces for kids to grow, play and dream. Years later, that same vision became the foundation for TUFF Kids, a nonprofit organization she co-founded with Ivan “Tuffy” Williams in 2010 to help young people grow through its motto of Training, Unwavering, Focused and Fit — in both body and mind.
Now, more than a decade later, TUFF Kids has grown from a community dream into a thriving youth movement. In 2024, the organization opened the Cleveland Youth Center, located at 1609 Ross Ave., giving local students a place to learn, move and be mentored — a long-awaited dream finally brought to life.
Jones recently sat down with Bluebonnet News Headlines and Heartlines to share how her vision for TUFF Kids began and how far it’s come. Her story is one of community, collaboration, and a deep commitment to the next generation.
“As kids, we would ride the bus to school,” Jones recalled. “The school wouldn’t let you in in the morning, so the kids just kind of walked laps around the school. There was a bench area where we would stop and just congregate. We would just talk about what we wanted to do when we got older.”
Those childhood conversations planted the seeds for something much bigger. She and her classmates dreamed of swimming pools, basketball courts and youth programs — anything that could make Cleveland a better place for kids like them. “We just dreamed so big about the things we wanted and envisioned for Cleveland, to make it a better place and give the kids a different opportunity than what we had growing up here,” Jones said.
That dream began to take shape years later, when the City of Cleveland made the difficult decision to close its municipal pool due to needed repairs and financial constraints. Jones remembers that day vividly. It was the moment when a longtime friend, Ivan “Tuffy” Williams, knocked on her door, frustrated about the closure but determined to find a way forward.
Together, they decided to act.
“Tuffy wanted to teach the kids sports,” Jones explained. “And I wanted to use my education in finance to teach them about money management.”
From that conversation, TUFF Kids — carrying part of Tuffy’s nickname — was born.
What started as an effort to keep kids active during the summer months has grown into a powerful youth development program focused on health, fitness, academics, and personal growth. Jones and Williams’ shared passion for mentorship and education is reflected in every aspect of the program, from physical training to leadership development.
The opening of the new Cleveland Youth Center marks a major milestone in TUFF Kids’ journey — a place where children and teens can find encouragement, direction, and belonging. The facility offers structured activities, tutoring, and workshops that teach life skills, echoing their belief that success comes from balance — mind, body, and heart.
And the organization isn’t slowing down anytime soon. TUFF Kids is gearing up for a Family Feud-style community event on Nov. 15, promising an evening of fun and friendly competition that brings families together. Looking ahead to next spring, TUFF Kids is planning a Dancing With the Stars-style fundraiser in March, pairing local leaders and community members for a night of entertainment.
Jones hopes these events not only raise funds for TUFF Kids programs but also deepen the organization’s connection to the community it serves.
For anyone inspired to get involved — whether through volunteering, mentoring, or sponsorship — TUFF Kids welcomes community participation. To learn more, call 281-761-6171 or email ejones@tuffkids.org.
To hear more of Eisha’s inspiring story and the passion driving TUFF Kids’ mission, tune in to the latest episode of Bluebonnet News Headlines and Heartlines, available now by clicking here.
This podcast episode can also be heard next Tuesday and Friday, Oct. 21 and 24, on KILE Radio, 94.9 FM. To listen to the radio broadcast online, go to www.kilefm.com. The shows start at 10 a.m. on the radio.