Keeping youth in the game scores big for communities

Keeping youth in the game scores big for communities

Green circle reading: 40 percent of youth age 6-12 participated in regular team sports and activities in 2015.

Many of us are gearing up for one of the biggest sports events of the year — Super Bowl Sunday. Sports are a big part of life for many American families, especially youngsters. Participation in sports and after-school activities has been linked to better academic, social and physical performance. Unfortunately, according to the Aspen Institute, some kids are getting benched due to family income.

Nearly 40 percent of youth from homes with $25,000 or less in annual income played team sports in 2015, compared to more than 65 percent of those from homes with an income of more than $100,000. Several groups in the NeighborWorks network recognize that access to sports and recreational activities are key to building healthy, vibrant communities.

Massachusetts recreation center combines athletics and academics

The Jackson Square Recreation Center run by Urban Edge.

Urban Edge’s new Jackson Square Recreation Center will help Boston’s youth and families learn, grow and succeed. The two-story facility will boast a regulation-sized ice rink on the first floor and a turf field on the second level. It will provide 2,000 young people year-round affordable access to ice skating and other sports activities during out-of-school hours.

Learn more about the project

After-school activities help Florida youth thrive

Five boys wearing red shirts watch another boy wearing a half mask dancing on stage

According to a new report by the Afterschool Alliance, more than 20 million students live in areas of concentrated poverty — and many attend schools with high dropout rates. Quality after-school activities help keep youngsters safe, improve academics and keep them from engaging in negative behavior.

Our network member Orlando Neighborhood Improvement Corp. created a unique after-school program to keep kids out of trouble. It has become a haven for local youths as they learn life skills and leadership development through visual and performing arts.

'Unlikely' partnerships bring unexpected benefits

Young boy hitting a tennis ball on the court.

Coachella Valley Housing Coalition has discovered that a tennis partnership with unlikely bedfellows has multiple benefits for local children.

Read about the annual tennis camp

SPOTLIGHT

New funding opportunity

Project Reinvest: Financial Capability is designed to provide funding for organizations to provide financial capability counseling/coaching that helps clients stabilize their finances, rebuild credit and establish savings. Funds will be awarded to applicants with demonstrated experience in providing financial capability services to clients. Additional funds will be made available to supplement selected organizations’ existing matched- savings programs.

Apply by March 2

If you would like to use any of the content above, please contact Racine Tucker-Hamilton.

Green circle with text reading: 40 percent of youth participated in regular team sports and activities in 2015.

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