Former Wyandotte Resident Uses Tough Childhood to Reach At-Risk Youths

"I want to help kids understand they can become anyone they want, no matter if they are born with privilege or not." -- David Burch

When former Wyandotte resident David Burch, 52, was three years old he lived in a shack without running water. He and his only brother, Jeff, would go door-to-door to collect money to buy food to feed themselves and their baby sister.

Burch's father was arrested for robbing 11 banks in Indiana and his mother died in a car accident when he was still a boy.

Burch said much of his adolescence was filled with severe poverty, violence, abuse, and tragedy.

It was his struggle that motivated him to write the book, "Pocket Full of Dreams," a true story of overcoming adversity and self-transformation.

Before authoring a book, Burch went to Labadie Elementary school in Wyandotte and high school in East Jordan, MI and joined the army. He now works as an associate vice president for a major Wall Street firm, is married and has three grown children.

"I've done well," Burch said.

Burch said his book is a way to reach children living in similar circumstances.

"I tell kids to be happy and take care of their families," Burch said.

"Pocket Full of Dreams" is available at UKAZOO Books in Southgate. It's also available at www.davidburch.com.

Burch lived in Wyandotte, Trenton and Flat Rock before moving to East Jordan as a teenager and graduating from East Jordan High School.

For the latest Wyandotte news and information, "like" Wyandotte Patch on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and sign up for our daily newsletter.