The NFL and USC Join Together to Make an Impact on Youth at Risk in Los Angeles

WASHINGTON, July 9 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Riki Ellison, a former NFL 10-year veteran and USC alumnus announced today that the National Football League and the University of Southern California College's Joint Education Program (JEP) have teamed up on an inner city outreach program that will significantly help at-risk youth in Los Angeles. The program is known as the Youth Impact Program. It will reach out to one hundred twenty-five at-risk male middle school boys from neighborhoods throughout Los Angeles. The outreach involves a daily 4-hour academic curriculum taught by Los Angeles Unified School District teachers supported by USC students and staff as well as football skill development in the afternoon. The program begins today on USC's campus and will run from 9AM to 5PM for four weeks, five days per week and is free to the participants.

Ellison explained the basics of the program: "The Youth Impact Program focuses on three elements. First, the incentive of exposure to the NFL and USC as well as providing free meals motivates at-risk youth to participate in the program. The University of Southern California College's Joint Education Program selects these young men based on need and risk. Once the boys are in the program, are surrounded by a positive university learning environment where the exposure and use of academics, language and mathematics skills will increase their aptitude in all of these important scholastic skills."

"Secondly, we know that participation in the youth impact program will get these young men 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. This is in contrast to their challenging home environments.

"Thirdly, the Youth Impact Program provides support to the children of single parents through a mentorship program. The program develops and nurtures relationships between community mentors from the downtown Los Angeles area as well as the USC campus community for these young boys to develop solid and lasting positive relationships that will endure after the program concludes. By developing these types of relationships, these young men will have additional guidance and support as they go through their formative years."

Ellison continues his explanation by pointing 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."

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. The camp will emphasize reading, math, character development, life skills, and football. The program will continue throughout the year with follow-up meetings at each of the participating elementary school sites to include academic tutoring and social activities.

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."

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."

Call Mike Terrill, Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance, at 602 885-1955 to arrange an interview with Riki Ellison. 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.