WASHINGTON, Oct. 9 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The United States House of Representatives passed House Resolution 1413 sponsored by Congresswoman Diane Watson, D-CA-33 and co-sponsored by 31 additional U.S. Representatives which included diverse sides of the political spectrum from Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA) to Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA). They passed a resolution which recognized the innovative "at-risk" Youth Impact Program and encouraged the expansion of the program to the inner-cities across the nation.
The program, in its third year in Los Angeles and its first year in New Orleans, had over 250 nine to twelve year old "at-risk" boys participate in a 9-5 month long academic and athletic experience that provided food and clothing and emphasized key life skills of conflict resolution, anger management, sexuality, nutrition and drug education. 97% of the participating boys were minorities; 68% were African American and 28% were Hispanic.
One of the academic highlights of the program which heavily emphasized Math and English curriculum for the month is that over 40% of the boys had never read a book from start to finish prior to the program. At the end of the program 100% of the young men had read a novel from start to finish discussing and writing reports on each chapter.
The Youth Impact Program is hosted by two major universities located in an inner city; the University of Southern California in Los Angeles and Tulane University in New Orleans. Providing an academic setting on a university campus while encouraging the participants with the opportunity to play football instills realism, awareness and motivation for the participants to actively improve themselves. The YIP employs a staff of local inner-city public school teachers from the participant's community as well as current students and student/athletes from the hosting universities. The participants enjoy a 1 to 5 ratio of teachers to students thus increasing the connection between those involved. YIP is a year-round program as the staff and boys interact on a monthly basis after the intense one-month program in July to mentor and support each other. The Youth Impact receives primary support from the NFL's National Football Youth Fund.
Riki Ellison had the following comments about the supporters of the Youth Impact Program: "The leadership of Mrs. Watson in the United States Congress to move a resolution of magnitude to really help the inner city at risk young men have an opportunities and mentors from their own communities to propel themselves to making a positive impact on their community and to our nation is to be commended."
"What is very impressive about her leadership is her ability to gather the diversity of co-sponsors of this resolution from across this country who have differing political views and party affiliations to join her in a mutual and common good for our communities, our inner cities, our nation and most important our nation's 'at risk' young men."
"As a former player of the National Football League, it is very compelling and much appreciated the support and commitment of the NFL, the Commissioner Roger Goodell, the Vice President -- Joe Browne, the late President of the NFLPA Gene Upshaw, the NFLPA and the Ownership of the New Orleans's Saints -- Mrs. Rita Benson for this program which the National Football Youth Football Fund and its director Mrs. Alexia Gallagher who have all been instrumental in the creation and sustainment of the Youth Impact Program."
"As a former NCAA athlete, it is equally compelling to have the unequivocal support from University of Tulane, President Scott Cowan and Athletic Director Rick Dickson to be 100 percent behind this program. And finally as a USC alumnus, USC has been instrumental in bringing the YIP to life as the tremendous support of the head football Coach Pete Carroll, the Athletic Director Mike Garrett, the University President Steven Sample and the JEP of the University of Southern California played a vital role."
House Resolution 1413 in its entirety can be found at
www.youthimpactprogram.org.
NOTE TO MEDIA: Riki Ellison is available for interviews on the Youth Impact Program. Call Mike Terrill at 602 885-1955 to arrange an interview
