For some youth at risk, growing up in suburban communities can feel isolating, and “I’m bored” is a common refrain. When families can’t afford extra-curricular activities, the alternative to become involved in the wrong kinds of activities is sometimes a temptation that youth fall into. One Malton organization is addressing the ‘boredom factor’ and giving young people a positive outlet. Characteristics Inspiring Achievement Youth Organization, or CIA, wanted to give back to their community and provide at-risk kids, like they used to be, with positive role models and influences by teaching them basketball skills and providing other opportunities for learning.
The goal of CIA is to catch kids and influence them early in life. CIA uses basketball as a vehicle that young people can relate to and that can help them to develop discipline. CIA offers two central programs, the first one working with youth aged 10 to 13 teaching them basketball skills and, the other, their “elite” basketball program, with kids aged 14 to 16 who already have basketball skills that they can build on.
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Members of CIA, along with co-founders Derek Boyce and Mike George, support their teammates during a game in Philadelphia.
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“What we want to show our kids is that they have hope and an opportunity to go on to post-secondary education,” said Derek Boyce, Co-Founder of CIA. “We want to give kids positive role models, so they can recognize that there are alternatives for their own lives. For example, by learning from Mike and me, two young black males that are successful university-educated professionals, they experience different kinds of people and things that they may not have otherwise seen.”
CIA started as a part-time, summer initiative reaching a handful of youth. With dedicated founders, volunteers and support from OTF, programming was enhanced and expanded to include year-round activities. New equipment was purchased and it’s now possible for CIA to pay for year-round gym rentals. Increased awareness has enabled the group to grow from 30 members to over 95 members.
Mike George, Co-Founder of CIA, is a teacher. With his guidance and thanks to funding from OTF, CIA has developed a strict but nurturing program, which over the last few years has evolved to provide even more educational experiences. A tutoring program, where children in Grades 5 to 8 read and do homework, was added. They also developed workshops that took the group to places like the Ontario Science Centre and Playdium.
“The evolution of the organization, and the positive impact on our kids, wouldn’t have been possible without Ontario Trillium Foundation funding,” said Boyce. “As a result, we see the kids change from reserved and hostile to open and developed leaders.”
Now, the first kids that joined CIA are in college or university, and still playing basketball. CIA is seeing them come back successful and willing to become role models for other kids that were just like them – proof that the dreams of Mike, Derek and the other volunteers are coming true. Their work is inspiring dreams in others. It’s a ‘rebound’ effect that is opening doors and minds of a growing number of youth in Malton.
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GRANT SUMMARY
In 2004, CIA received an OTF grant of $30,200 over two years to expand the basketball and recreation program for youth at-risk in the Malton area. |