Student-Athletes Are Often the Forgotten Group

The Foundation’s Mission is to empower Youth Athletes to gain the skills, self-confidence, and exposure to become leaders on and beyond the field.

It is well known that Student-Athletes are often the forgotten group. It is our belief that if we can successfully tap into and mold Student-Athletes, then they will go forth and serve as Leaders and Influencers who will help transform the culture gap and achievement gap, which is inherent within our Communities.

Champions Read Youth Literacy Program

We have found that while Student-Athletes excel when it comes to Team Sports, that competitive spirit is lacking in the classroom. That’s why we started the Champions Read Book Club; to provide a space where our Youth feel confident reading and growing with their Peers. We have found success with the Near Peer Model, because kids leading kids, creates a comfort level amongst young readers.

We use books that the kids can relate to, such as the ones from the Summer Reading Program, Ghost and Sunny, by New York Times Best-selling Author Jason Reynolds, which navigates a story-line involving youth track and field athletes. The Champions Read Literacy Program addresses two critical issues:

1. The Summer Reading Slide, whereas low-income students in particular, experience 2-months of learning loss over summer;
2. The School-to-Prison Pipeline, whereas a lack of literacy skills can push students along that pipeline.

Research shows that the vast majority of young people who come into contact with the juvenile justice system, are functionally illiterate (85% according to some sources). Also, 65% of 3rd Grade Students cannot read proficiently, and those kids are more likely to drop out of high school. 

Champions Read Youth Literacy Program Objectives

1. Increasing Academic Achievement 
2. Setting a Standard of Behavioral Excellence 
3. Enhanced Self-Confidence 
4. Building a Lifelong Interest in Reading 
5. Character Development