University of Houston Athletics
UH to Host Youth Impact Prgram
6/27/2011 12:00:00 AM | Football
June 27, 2011
Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, along with the University of Houston, the Houston Independent School District, Halliburton, and other partners, announced the University of Houston's participation along with new corporate financial support for the 2011 Summer Youth Impact Program. This exciting program mentors at-risk youth by combining academic and life skills tutoring with football skills. Over 100 middle school boys are expected to join the program in July alone.
Congresswoman Jackson Lee issued the following statement regarding the Houston Youth Impact Program:
"Many at-risk young men in the Nation's inner cities face a challenging and uncertain future. The future success of at-risk young men can be greatly enhanced through sustained mentorship whereas effective working partnerships between and within the public and private sectors can have a lasting and positive impact on the future of these young men. Therefore, the University of Houston, the Houston Texans, the North Forest Independent School District, the Houston Independent School District, and generous Houston corporate sponsors have joined together with me to encourage the participation in a program that will provide a creative, disciplined outlet and a path to a better life for many at-risk males. This program combines the disciplines of football, mentoring, and academics in partnership between local National Football League (NFL) franchises and universities to promote discipline, learning, and positive values."
"The Youth Impact Program is a community-based program that has proven its value over the past 2 years in raising the outlook and aspirations of at-risk young men and has provided them greater exposure to academics, core values, and life skills. This program will also include teachers from our surrounding schools to promote and provide a year-round mentoring to its participants that is a proven formula for building success. Our mission is to use this collaborative program to engage, educate and empower all Americans to adopt a healthy lifestyle that includes regular physical activity and good nutrition."
The life skills component of the program focuses on gang prevention, conflict resolution, health issues and leadership. The boys will also be provided on-campus meals, transportation and athletic clothing apparel. The program will utilize the Houston facilities, staff and student-athletes, as well as middle school teachers from the local community.
The boys will begin the program on July 5 with a curriculum that involves time on the football practice field under the direction of former Houston linebacker Matt Nicholson who will serve as head coach. He will be joined by current UH football players as assistants.
