Youth at Risk Permanently Impacted in Los Angeles

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 7 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- 250 gathered from at risk youth and their families in Los Angeles to celebrate the achievements of the four-week Youth Impact Program. The program was implemented at the University of Southern California integrating three major components to nurture positive change in the lives of 11- 13-year-old boys living in Los Angeles. Providing a NFL football experience through the Junior Player Development Program on the campus of USC and free healthy lunches gave incentive to these young boys to participate and engage in an academic learning experience, which focused on language arts and mathematics. In addition, sustained mentoring relationships with Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) teachers and USC student mentors were created to fulfill a much needed void of positive role models for these young men. The program sustains itself as it provides consistent relationships and contact from the youth impact staff throughout the academic school year.

Rodrigo Cardo, one of the participating boys stated to the 250 community members both in English and then in Spanish. "The teachers are the best ones I have met in my entire life. They listened to me when I needed them most. I met all these kids from different places and teachers who listened to me and it makes me feel at home. They are my family."

"This community is much better off by putting a creative and effective investment into our boys at a formidable age, giving them exposure and a learning opportunity to develop in ways to contribute to society rather than take away from the community at large," stated Riki Ellison, program founder.

The Youth Impact Program requires a high ratio of 1 to 4 adults to the young boys, as over 27 adult role models comprised of LAUSD teachers and coaches and University of Southern California's students and professional staff. The young men were divided up in groups with one LAUSD teacher and two or more USC mentors per 15 to 18 boys. The boys took part in three hour-long academic blocks, lunch and a two-hour football skill development block. Character development interweaved through the four-week session as speakers and topics ranged from anger management seminars to life successes of former and present collegiate and professional athletes who had similar home and community environments.

LAUSD teacher and Football Director of the program, Reginald Grant, had this to say about the program: "The program has made a tremendous positive impact in the lives of these young children. I have seen many programs for our inner city youth, but none have had the impact of this program. We emphasized life skills and football skills. We had the academic component focus on math and reading. We had the students read novels about football and learn math skills using football as the foundation. It was a great way to blend athletics and academics."

USC Coach Pete Carroll praised the youth for their participation in the classroom and on the football field when he said: "I am a stickler for excellence in the classroom and on the football field. Both require commitment, excellence and a can-do attitude. What you learned here the last month will last you a life time. Congratulations on staying the course."

The program was facilitated by the Student Athlete Impact Permanent Impact Program (SAIP) founded by USC alumnus and three times Super Bowl Champion, Riki Ellison, President of the Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance. Funding was provided by an NFL Charity Grant, USC and the SAIP. The program was implemented by the USC Joint Educational Project in the College of Letters Arts and Sciences.

Note to Media: Riki Ellison can be reached at 703 299-0061 for interviews. Contact Kirsten Holguin at 213 821-4023, USC College, for media requests about USC. Denise Woods at 213 740-1837 is available to talk about the Youth Impact Program at USC.