Murphy Washington was born and raised in Fort Dodge before leaving for college, attending Des Moines Area Community College and Iowa State University.

After graduating from Iowa State, Murphy returned to Fort Dodge to help Charles Clayton start Athletics For Education and Success, a nonprofit organization that aims to provide young people in Webster County with success and a sense of belonging.

“We started out with some of the things we knew about athletics and then after that, it grew into family reunification, re-entry and for individuals to be successful in our community,” Washington said. “We look at how to help somebody have a better life, help people to establish routines and connect them to community resources.”

The success of AFES inspired Washington to pursue a career as the residential manager for the Fort Dodge Residential Correctional Facility.

“Charles was doing a lot of re-entry stuff and I wanted to do the same,” Washington added. “That’s what the facility is all about. He’s continued re-entry with adolescents, and mine has been working with adults.”

Washington had previously worked as a probation officer in Mason City, but moved back to Fort Dodge nearly three years ago to be closer to his family.

“As much as I have moved around, I know that this is where I’m supposed to be,” Washington said. “I know that I need to contribute to my community and keep on watching it grow.”

Washington’s motivation for giving back to the community stems from his upbringing in the Pleasant Valley neighborhood.

“We had a great childhood growing up in the Pleasant Valley area,” Washington said. “I want our children and the community to experience that.”

Last fall, the Pleasant Valley Awareness Committee and Washington hosted an event at H.C. Meriwether Park to bring the community together before the winter.

“My sister, Sherry, and the committee got the ball rolling on having an event before the weather got too bad,” Washington said. “We had a car show and a parent and child free throw contest.”

The fall event at the park proved to be a success, as a Mother’s Day celebration followed.

“I went ahead and collaborated with people in the community for Mother’s Day, like Terry Cook, Charles Clayton and different vendors,” Washington said. “A lot of people in the community purchased from the vendors and we had another free throw contest, so that one went great.”

The most recent event at H.C. Meriwether Park was a Juneteenth celebration. The event featured a car and bike show, a basketball tournament on the newly renovated courts and more vendors.

Washington said that the Juneteenth holiday symbolizes independence, making the celebration the most significant for the community.

The committee also plans to hold a Fourth of July celebration at the park and many other events in the future.

“These events are open to the community and some guy came up to me and said, ‘Hey, let’s have a Fourth of July event,'” Washington said. “If I can support any ideas people have, I’m going to go ahead and donate my time. Let’s get together and let’s just support each other and unify our community.”