Falcons Youth and Family Service organization uses coaches as mentors
Sports nonprofit teaches new school kids old values
The Falcons Youth and Family Service organization (FYFS) is a natural progression of the Southern California Falcons Youth Football and Cheer Program. In the spring of 2005 Keith and Karen Johnson formed the Southern California Falcons a youth football and cheer organization. The goal of the program was to use sports as a vehicle to introduce and reinforce the concept of strong character, positive values, personal responsibility, social responsibility and academic excellence.
“We believed that very few individuals have the attention of young people, but coaches have that attention. Our goal was to utilize the relationship that coaches have with their players and parents to build and an effective agency to help meet the challenges our youth face in the community,” said Keith Johnson.
The organization’s mission is to repair the damage done to youth, families and communities by social messages that do not teach personal and or social responsibility.
The group’s motto is “It’s Time to Teach New School Kids, Old School Values.”
In just five years Falcons Youth and Family Services has been featured on local news KNBC News twice and in 2011 was awarded the “Best of the Best” Community Service Award and the Watkins Award for Community Service.
Most of the focus of agency has been based on changing the lives of youth within the community it serves in spite of the gangs, crime, and demographics of the area.
Falcons Youth and Family Services has developed several unique an innovative programs to address challenges around character, education, role models and health.
1. The Victory in Values program is a character development program, designed after the highly effective and nationally recognized Character Counts Program.
2. Men in Training program (M.I.T.) and Ladies in Training (L.I.T.) are designed for boys and girls between the ages of 12-17. The program is a series of workshops to empower boys and girls to become confident, successful young men and young women.
3. The School Monitoring program is designed to give weekly updates on participants.
4. Mobile Homework Trailer (MHT) is a 20-foot cargo trailer that has been transformed into a mobile classroom. The MHT is at every practice. Participants, who need tutoring or have not completed homework, must do so before they are allowed to practice.
5. The Coach/Mentor program was developed to address the lack of positive adults in the lives of participants. Each staff member and coach is trained to be a mentor.
7. Camp H.O.P.E. (Helping the Obesity Problem End) is an eight-week healthy eating and wellness education and physical fitness program for the entire family.
For more information on the Falcons Youth and Family Services organization visit the website at www.fyfs.org.
The Girls Club of Los Angeles is a nonprofit agency that meets the needs of underprivileged and at-risk children, youth and their families living in South Los Angeles. The organization is an advocate and community change agent working to provide children, youth and families with the skills to overcome the challenges they face.
Foundation for Second Chances (FFSC) is a community-based organization that utilizes hands-on education, mentoring, health awareness and community service to maximize the potential of youth.
Second Chances’ goal is to make sure that children are given all that they need to thrive. This includes a quality education, nutritious food and exercise, a safe and nurturing environment and the chance to give back to their community.
A new community plan for the West Adams, Baldwin Hills, Leimert Park and Hyde Park communities is proposing to roll back current limits on the number of stand-alone fast food restaurants in Council District 10 for up to 20 years.
In 2008, the City Council passed an ordinance restricting new fast food restaurants from being constructed within 0.5 miles of an existing fast food restaurant.
This is the beginning of a series of articles about street gangs in our nation. Gone are the days back in the 1960s and before when gangs were social organizations and were geographically linked. Beginning in the 1970s, these street gangs evolved into criminal organizations. They are the generators of murder, drugs, robbery, etc. No longer are they cool or cute. They are pure savages craving fast money and a fast lifestyle. This week let’s take a look at Detroit.
One of the earliest gangs was the Errol Flynns. They took the name from the Caucasian movie star.
Bill Gates is putting out a call to inventors, but he’s not looking for software, or the latest high-tech gadget. This time he’s in search of a better condom.
On its Grand Challenges website, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is offering a $100,000 startup grant to the person who designs “the next generation condom that significantly preserves or enhances pleasure” and promotes “regular use.”
