Proud to be in Dallas this week with Team HOPE from MN and so many incredible, compassionate, selfless people trying to make a difference in these kids lives through the Dallas Champions Academy. I am inspired and humbled by the work these individuals put in day after day.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ACLCTdj3RI&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR34E8ZzFwbn4KN2YD-KJy2PvEtJ7pWpKnFysLI_Edoq3BbYNl9mkBrxTa8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-eSQCDtlmiw&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR20rJMNCGPy8wMqHAjlqKP9GjI5VP47iq4v200YqOq7teHGV4JVXMaCuWw
Having a hard time shaking thoughts of the boys we worked with at the Gainesville Youth Correctional Facility. I get it...they are in because they have committed serious crimes, BUT they are still kids...lost, scared, broken, and forgotten. I can not and will not forget their stories.
Take a few minutes to watch the video below and learn a little more about the team we worked with and their stories.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=37cyL0rkzBs&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR3yPe8K5bZ1rllE9fhRbTWxX8FI1ydNIZTxHVWR-kYxfEZQAWhxlRyAB2w
https://www.youtube.com/watch?reload=9&v=Eogs3DcxWPs&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR1uTOJsusMRGcDpJMLUWj6Cy6yML-Ap-nCrmDZVeGiTGkvJu4EdICmC9x8
South/East Dallas communities rank among the most impoverished in the nation. Conducting the Adverse Childhood Experienced Test (ACE) developed by Dr. Vincent Felitti’s, and used by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention to discover the link between childhood trauma and adult behavior dysfunctions on a small sampling of our Dallas Champions Academy campers revealed that our attendees scored at nearly twice the rate of the national average (2.5 vs. 4.8). Thus, due to the adverse effects of their childhood our camp attendees were more inclined to drop out of school, join gangs, become addicted to alcohol or drugs and become incarcerated. Specific results included the following within the home: Divorce (80%); witness physical harm (67%); addiction (50%); incarceration (87%). With these findings in mind we believe that the Dallas Champions Academy Mentoring Program will enrich, empower, educate and give greater exposure to life changing opportunities to all mentoring participants.
The Dallas Champions Academy Mentoring Program, a primary activity of the Greater Dallas Coalition (GDC) seeks to identify and introduce 150 of its most at-risk camps attendees and their families, to a year-round individual and group mentoring process that will focus on character development, college and career, and community. In order to encourage and ensure the maturation of each mentoring participant we will focus on 1) Character Building through the practice and teaching of the four foundational principles of character- Discipline, Respect, Trust and Hard Work, 2) College & Career by supporting each person to achieve the level of success in life that is relevant and applicable to them. (secondary education or the armed services or one of the many trades), and 3) Community taught through the value of giving back both in theory and practice by being involve in various community service projects. Budget includes personnel, honorariums, facilities, meals, curricula & resources.
“The adverse effects of poverty on school dropout can be mitigated through two primary strategies. One is to improve the academic achievement, the other to change attitudes through targeted intervention programs,” (R.W. Rumberger, PhD). The goal of the Dallas Champions Academy’s Mentoring Program is to provide one on one and group accountability, social and cultural exposure, and higher educational opportunities that will enrich one’s life and play an integral role the development of life skills that are instrumental to breaking the cycle of the various expressions of poverty. The Dallas Champions Academy Mentoring Program unites Christ-centered organizations and individuals in partnership with established civic groups and civil service organizations, to create lasting spiritually and social transformation within the community. It’s through this holistic approach to mentoring that we believe that each participant will find the courage, the esteem and the energy to soar.
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