Coach Becomes Father Figure to Dorian Survivor

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – A Dorian survivor has gotten a second chance to follow his dreams thanks to a coach, who has become more than just a mentor by taking the teen into his home and becoming a father figure.

Coach Kevin Johnson has interacted with thousands of children in his nearly 30-year career as a basketball coach.

Coaching a team who played a tournament once a year in Abaco his how he came to meet 18-year-old James Delia.

He says James stood out.

Those brief interactions had a lasting impact on the young man, who in 2019 was one of the thousands of Abaco residents who lost everything after the monster storm Dorian.

Shortly after the storm, he moved to New Providence to stay with his godmother, but James says he wanted to get in touch with Coach Johnson.

Johnson, who has a biological son who is a decorated swimmer, says when he heard James’ story he knew he had to help.

Since then, James has been living with johnson and his family and the teen says it’s a decision he has never regretted.