Friday, Mar. 25, 2005 | ||
Bad Links? | Fairburns Hill wants to make a difference this summerBy BEN NELMS Jesse Hill is a man on a mission. As founder and CEO of Shoot The Hoops, Inc., Hill spoke recently about the non-profits ongoing attempt to make a difference in the lives of youngsters in South Fulton County. Hill referenced the current state of affairs in American society today, explaining that children today grow up in an ever-evolving brave new world, a world fraught with challenges and dangers their parents and grandparents never had to experience. Young people have all kinds of issues, things like teen pregnancy, HIV, the lack of a father in the home, teenage parenthood. But more prevalent than ever is a lack of education, Hill said. All these things, whether by themselves or combined, means a lot more pressure on kids today. It is part of the mission and strategy of Shoot The Hoops to provide children in grades K-5 with some of the tools to help offset potential educational deficits by offering academic mentoring combined with activities designed to boost confidence and discipline. When Shoot The Hoops began seven years ago, three years before obtaining its non-profit status, the organization used basketball as its emphasis point, stressing the acquisition of discipline, team work and physical skill. But in the last three years, we decided to focus on education and academics with kids K-5, Hill said. And we decided to do something in the summer when so many kids are idle, watching Tv or playing video games. Today, the thrust of Shoot The Hoops is a two-pronged approach. The Summer Reading Camp will be held during an eight-week period this summer. With the assistance of 25 volunteers, the camp will provide academic offerings in reading, math, writing and comprehension, Spanish and American sign language. Also provided will be recreational activities such as basketball, tennis, golf and cheerleading along with arts, drama, music and dance. Historical field trips will complete the package. The price for the camp is $20 per week, said Hill, adding that Shoot The Hoops will sponsor parent workshops on two occasions during the eight-week period. We want to do this so we can get information to parents and let them know how to improve their childs academic skills, he said. Hours for the Summer Reading Camp will be 8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. After-care running until 6:30 p.m. will also be available. Hill said the organization is currently researching the best location in South Fulton to hold the camp. He said 200-250 children are expected to attend this years camp. A new Shoot The Hoops program will begin in the fall. Hill said it will be an year-round, after-school tutorial program open to all K-5 children in the area. Using a certified curriculum director, six staff and volunteers, the tutorial is expected to serve up to 60 K-5 students focusing on various academic areas, especially reading and math and preparation for the CRCT tests taken by third and fifth graders. Hill said the hours will be 3:30-5:30 p.m. with transportation provided if needed. The location, as yet undetermined, will be in the South Fulton area. Hill said Shoot The Hoops has applied for a Fulton County grant to assist the endeavor. He said the support received from Commissioner William Bill Edwards in accomplishing the organizations goals for the tutorial has been helpful and appreciated. As much as anything, the after school tutorial provides a way for the organization to bridge with the Summer Reading Camp to form an academic learning chain designed to bolster and accelerate student learning and performance in the grade 3 and 5 CRCT tests. But for Hill, there is more to the programs offered by Shoot The Hoops. The outcome, the mission, is to help provide a firm academic basis that will transcend academics and test scores. Our mission is to touch kids lives so they will have the opportunity to light up the world, Hill explained. They will be able to do this by touching other lives and giving back what theyve received. Its like a domino effect. Hill said Shoot The Hoops is seeking individual and corporate sponsors from those that are willing to make a difference in the lives of kids. Shoot The Hoops can be contacted at (404) 428-3513, at P.O. Box 862, Fairburn, GA 30213 or at jessehillside@yahoo.com |
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