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19th Annual Watkins Awards Weekend
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2007 USC /NFL Youth Impact Camp
USC Head Football Coach Pete Carroll visits the camp and talks to the kids. The NFL …..Changing Kids Lives. We so often hear about the NFL and the problem players, but on the USC campus this summer the NFL and USC are touching the lives of one hundred and twenty-five young men in a very positive way. The NFL has a national program JPD – Junior Player Development designed to introduce young men to football with full contact camps. The camps also employ a life skills component. But Super Bowl Champion and former USC linebacker Riki Ellison has taken the JPD concept and expanded it to include a structured academic component focused on reading and math.
Ellison points out, "This joint program will make a strong and lasting impact on the lives of these at-risk youth from Los Angeles and the future of our community and society will be better for it." Last year when I first heard about the program from LAUSD teacher and former Kent State football player Wayne Lewis I was excited about the concept for this program although I was skeptical it was going to be all that. But, the fact of the matter is that the program has made a tremendous positive impact on the lives of the children it touches. As a certificated teacher in the nation’s second largest school district I have seen many programs which could have made a difference; this one does. After last years pilot year I had several young men write letters about their experiences and the value of the program to them. In the past year I have ran into several of last summers participants and each and every one of them ran up to me and talked abut the program and its virtues. When I first met Riki Ellison, I was very impressed with his commitment and vision to provide America’s at-risk youth with a positive university learning experience where they could be exposed to a whole new world. Using credentialed educators, and year round mentors his program is changing young men’s lives. Riki a 10 year NFL player started his vision at TC Elliott High School, the same school in Denzell Washington’s “Remember the Titans” which is now predominantly black. Riki understood that these young men needed to get away from the streets for one month in a positive, organized program that exposes them to athletics, character building, core values, and the positive aspects of discipline. What makes this program so special is the focus on academics, language and mathematics using football as the hook. The students read stories about football ,learn math skills using football as the foundation all taught by certificated educators. They also get to meet and talk with current and retired NFL players, and get four weeks of full contact football coaching and playing experience. The Youth Impact Program is a joint summer enrichment camp comprised of the NFL's Junior Player Development (JPD) program and USC's Joint Educational Project.
Last year, in its pilot season, the program was an overwhelming success with over one hundred middle school students participating in the program. This year, the program is fully funded by a grant from the NFL with supplemental in-kind support from USC. "This is only the beginning," remarked Ellison, "We would like to strive to have a Youth Impact Program in every major city where there is a NCAA institution and a large population of youth at risk." Denise Woods, Program Director of the Youth Impact Program at USC, said, "The program is a huge proponent for giving these kids a chance to see what opportunities are available to them that they may not regularly see in their immediate neighborhoods. We don't want them to feel that they can't participate because of lack of resources or other obstacles that they have no control over. We want all kids to have the same opportunities no matter their circumstances."
I salute Riki Ellison for taking the time out of his life to actually give back to our society. I would also like to commend the administrator of the program on the USC campus Tammy Anderson, Director of USC’s Joint Educational Project for providing the leadership and focus to make this happen. To learn if this program is going to be available in you area or to arrange an interview with Riki Ellison call Mike Terrill, Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance, at 602 885-1955. Contact Kirsten Holguin, USC College, for media requests at 213 821-4023. Contact Denise Woods at 213 740-1837 for information on the USC College's JEP. Reginald Grant Educator, Coach, Writer NFL Alumni - Jets 78’ USC Youth Impact Program -2007 Head Football Coach
Photos by Reginald Grant |
Featured Charity Event 2009 Youth Impact Video Click here
USC Head Football Coach Pete Carroll visits the camp and talks to the kids. The NFL …..Changing Kids Lives.
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