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Court/community program continues to fill sports void for local kids

SHERRY KARABIN
Legal News Reporter

Published: October 5, 2015

Studies show sports participation among young people can have physical, psychological and intellectual benefits. But in the inner city, students do not always have access to after-school sports programs, leaving them to rely on those offered by the community.

Around five years ago, Mahoning County Juvenile Court Judge Theresa Dellick began working to fill the void that exists in cities like Youngstown, partnering with the city of Youngstown and the Youngstown City School District to create year-round programs ranging from soccer, basketball and flag football to bowling, and even golf, for Mahoning County children in grades four, five and six.

The Juvenile Justice Center (JJC) Sports Program Co-Ed Intramural Sports League is just one component of the court’s “Growing Healthy, Growing Strong” program, which aims to prevent youth involvement with the juvenile justice system.

“The ‘Growing Healthy, Growing Strong’ umbrella includes offerings for community boys and girls,” said Andre Elliott, boys programming director for the Mahoning County Juvenile Court.

“I started building the programs in 2001 when I became judge,” said Judge Dellick. “There were existing programs before but not to the extent there are now.”

Students who participate are generally between the ages of eight and 12, who usually learn about the program through flyers posted in various locations and in schools, school announcements and word of mouth.

“Most students are non-court involved,” said Elliott. “Those who are court involved are low-risk youth who are learning the importance of leadership through mentorship with court staff.”

“Sports foster camaraderie, teamwork and respect,” said Judge Dellick. “The students make friends and learn to respect authority, they learn to be responsible since they have to be at a certain place at a certain time. It also helps them to become social. Antisocial behavior is a risk factor for court involvement.”

She said students who participate in the sports programs are expected to keep their grades up.

“Last year, we had a problem with a few students who were not showing up to school so we implemented a system where they had to show grade cards to participate,” said Elliot. “If they fell behind, they were not pulled from the program but were encouraged to pick up their grades by coaches who made sure they worked on their homework before practice.”

“We also got help from the parents who were checking their homework assignments,” said Judge Dellick.

By the end of the season, she said most of the problems had been addressed.

“Generally speaking, the children want to participate and are willing to do what is necessary to make sure they are eligible,” said Judge Dellick.

The most successful program is the basketball program, which usually runs for six weeks between February and March, culminating with the Kevin Jackson Memorial Invitational Tournament at Youngstown State University. Jackson, who passed away in 2013, started the basketball program while director of the court’s sports program.

“The students practice after school for two weeks and then play games on Saturday mornings at the Arlington Heights Recreation Center for four weeks,” said Elliott. “Then they begin the playoffs. Everyone makes it to the finals, where they are divided by grades. At that point, it’s kind of a last man standing.”

Before the tournament begins, Elliott said the students get to meet the YSU basketball players and take a tour of the campus.

Elliott said the sports offerings are based on discussions with school officials, who help to determine student interests.

The most recent additions are cheerleading, which ran from May through June and volleyball, which starts in April 2016 and will include those in grades six to eight.

“The need for volleyball presented itself for the middle school age group so this will be our only middle school program,” said Elliott. “A lot of colleges offer scholarships in volleyball so we felt that this was necessary.

“We are also looking at adding a skating program next summer,” said Elliott.

“We are filling a need in the city,” said Judge Dellick. “All of our programs are free to Mahoning County citizens.”

On Sept. 26, the four-week soccer program got underway at the Arlington Heights Recreation Center.

“In Ohio all schools that are members of the OHSAA (Ohio High School Athletic Association) have athletic programs in grades seven to 12,” said Ed Matey, athletic director at Youngstown City Schools. “Getting the kids started when they are young helps them develop skills so they are not starting at ground zero when they get to the higher grades. It also keeps them off the streets.

“A lot of our inner city kids don’t get the chance to participate in sports at a young age,” said Matey.

“In the suburbs the children have Little League and other programs, but a lot of parents in Youngstown have problems transporting kids back and forth to practice.”

A portion of the funding for the JJC Sports Program Co-Ed Intramural Sports League comes from the Youngstown Community Initiative to Reduce Violence (C.I.R.V.).

“I work with young people and adults in three realms—prevention, intervention and intensive intervention,” said William “Guy” Burney, coordinator of C.I.R.V. “It is far more cost effective and better for the community to focus on the prevention side of things.

“Our goal is to connect with these children early on and get them involved with athletics,” said Burney. “Athletics are known to build character and reinforce positive values, which means I will be less likely to see them later on in different circumstances.

“The most important component of sports is the connection that it provides to positive role models for these youth because that’s what makes the most difference,” said Burney.

Under the partnership agreement, the city of Youngstown provides free access to its facilities, giving the children a place to play the games.

“In most cases, the children practice in the school gym and play the games at our recreation center,” said Robert Burke, director of the Youngstown Parks & Recreation Department.

“We own the nine-hole Stambaugh Golf Course,” said Burke. “Since we own it we are able to have a time for the children to come and learn the game of golf. In most communities it would be difficult as there may be a fee to play golf since most communities do not own a course.” 

“The court hopes to add equal opportunity to other non-traditional inner city sports such as lacrosse and hockey,” said Judge Dellick.

In addition to golf, Burke said Mahoning Valley Lanes in Youngstown provides the venue for students participating in the bowling program, which takes place in November and December.

“The program is held on Saturdays and it is one of our biggest draws. The kids love it.”

Burke said parents are asked to volunteer their time to coach all of the various sports.

“It’s a great partnership,” said Burke. “We have been able to touch the lives of hundreds and hundreds of young people, who don’t have activities readily available.

“I have personally witnessed the turnaround in some of these children. By pooling all of our resources we have created a great program,” Burke said.


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