"You're sitting in a seat I was sitting at about five years ago."
Karl Douglas knows the challenges of buying a home. It's what motivated him to organize a workshop to help others realize the dream he had.
"We help the common man, we help the impoverished but we also help the middle class," he said.
Douglas' non-profit Synergy Baltimore teamed up with the Neighborhood Assistance Corporation of America (NACA) to put on this free seminar.
"Everybody is not as privileged as we are. We extend the hand a little, help with a little wisdom and the resources and pull those all together," Douglas said.
Douglas has been giving back nearly all his life and earlier this year decided to put those good deeds under one name: Synergy Baltimore.
"Synergy Baltimore exists to reaffirm the faith in humanity," he said.
The charity covers five areas, food, water, shelter, clothing and care. They organize food and clothing giveaways each month, put together fundraisers and connect people to groups who can assist them.
And Synergy Baltimore is a family affair. Douglas' wife Michelle and his son Mason are involved. ABC2 met Mason three years ago when he shared his story about living with sickle cell disease. Today he is a happy, healthy 19 year old who is excited to be part of his father's charity.
"A lot of people don't have access to these resources. I know being in and out of the hospital all my life I was fortunate enough to get that and I feel like everybody needs that," Mason said.
"This is my city. I love my home and I want to make sure my city can succeed," he said.
"Each one must reach one and each one much teach one," said Karl Douglas. "We want to make sure he (Mason) carries the legacy on. It's much greater than us."
Synergy Baltimore is planning a "Christmas in January" event at Johns Hopkins Hospital. They are collecting items for kids like clothing, toys, diapers, etc. Follow them on Facebook for details about how to help.
