About the Founder

My name is Chase Watts, and I proudly serve as a Sergeant with the Ohio State Highway Patrol. Throughout my 15-year career in law enforcement, I’ve seen how powerful it can be when youth have strong role models, guidance, and someone who believes in their potential. That belief is what inspired me to start this journey.

It all began in 2016 with Books with Badges, a program I created to connect children with law enforcement officers and community leaders through reading. The idea was simple: step into classrooms, share stories, and build relationships with students. But what I saw went far beyond reading books. I saw how a small act of showing up could spark trust, curiosity, and confidence in kids who just needed encouragement.

From there, I realized something bigger. Literacy was just the first step. What our youth really needed was a pathway that combined reading with mentorship and service opportunities. That vision became Chapter One Resources, a nonprofit dedicated to helping young people write the first chapter of their leadership journey.

Through our flagship program, Chapter One Youth, and legacy initiatives like Books with Badges, we are building bridges between youth and leaders in the community. My mission is to give every child the tools and encouragement to grow into the confident leaders our world needs. Leaders who not only achieve personal success but also give back through service and character.

This work is deeply personal to me. It’s more than a program or an organization; it’s a promise. A promise to invest in the future of our youth and to make sure every young person has the chance to write a story filled with hope, growth, and purpose.

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— Chase Watts
Founder, Chapter One Resources