Why We Started with Basketball?
School-aged children were significantly impacted by the pandemic. These impacts may be attributed to the fact that this age group were at a vulnerable developmental stage and is susceptible to profound effects. It may feel like life is inching toward normal, but data on kids’ and teens’ mental health continue to show negative trends. “Despite the return to in-person school, which many people felt would boost kids’ mental health, we’re not seeing declines in depression or suicide,” says Jami Young, Ph.D., associate chair of research at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. Young says her team has been struck by the data, which show mental health concerns seem to be worse this year than they were last year. “Particularly as this pandemic moves forward, we’re continuing to see increased rates of depression, anxiety, suicide and eating disorder risk amongst our teens,” she says.
Basketball has always been a popular sport in the United States, and it continues to inspire people of all ages. For many, basketball is a way to stay active and physically fit. For others, it is a way to connect with friends and family. And for some, it is a way to express their creativity and individuality. No matter what your reason is for playing basketball, the sport can have a positive impact on your life. Basketball can teach important life skills such as teamwork, communication, and leadership. It can also help you stay physically active and healthy. And most importantly, basketball is a lot of fun! Basketball is a team sport that requires players to work together to be successful. This fosters teamwork and social interaction among players, as they must communicate and cooperate with one another to achieve their goals. Additionally, things like rebounding and playing defense require players to have a certain level of fitness, which can also help promote teamwork and social interaction, as players must motivate and encourage one another to stay in shape. Basketball is one of the most popular sports in America, and it has a way of bringing people together. Whether you’re playing in a pick-up game at the park or cheering on your favorite team at a professional game, basketball unites people from all walks of life. Basketball is a sport that anyone can play, regardless of their background or skill level. It’s a great way to exercise and have fun with friends or family. Whether you’re watching the games online or playing in a freshman (k-2nd grade) level game, this program is a great way to come together as a community. Basketball has had a profound impact on American culture, both in terms of its popularity as a sport and the way it has been used to influence social change. This program can counter the negative trends and bring positivity to a population that is still struggling to recover.
What is the Teen Program About?
We wish We could stay that the system wasn't broken because we see it work however it doesn't work for all. Sometimes the ones we try to reach fall through the cracks or are late to the party. Knowledge about College is an outreach to those that simply don't know what they are capable of. We believe everyone counts. Teachers are limited. That hurts to say but it is true. Teachers must teach to a state test that is more likely to train students to do minimal jobs instead of expanding their minds. The worst of the outcomes is that the students aren't given knowledge of what it takes to do what they want as a career, field of study, or even what is available. Teachers and counselors don't have the time for everyone, not by any fault of theirs. So often the theme is we only can save some. The parents are blamed, the students are blamed but it is the system that doesn't allow ingenuity. The four-year graduation rate of Arizona’s school districts is 75%. It’s among the lowest in the country, and the rate is declining over time. According to data from the National Center for Education Statistics, Arizona’s graduation rate ran even with the national rate a decade ago at around 78%. Since then, the U.S. rate has steadily risen, seeing a small one-point drop in 2020 landing at 85%. With more time dedicated to the knowledge needed to be memorized for a test, education is dulled and is seen as unexciting, spurring lack of interest. The students need to know that there is so much more. That is why Knowledge about College is meant to fill the gaps. Knowledge about College is part of a larger program from RNL Youth designed to educate teens on their options for the future while teaching them what it takes to be leaders in the community. The teens get to join programs like Knowledge about College and our Professional Mentoring programs which help them learn about what is available after high school. In exchange, the teens serve in our youth program as instructors, coaches, officials, and many other roles. They have to take classes such as Coaching Success, Classroom Management, and Presentation, to ensure they have the tools needed to succeed and a youth leader and then we send them to others to learn how to become leaders of adults. Research links early leadership with increased self-efficacy and suggests that leadership can help youth to develop decision-making and interpersonal skills that support successes in the workforce and in adulthood. In addition, young leaders tend to be more involved in their communities and have lower dropout rates than their peers. Youth leaders also show considerable benefits for their communities, providing valuable insight into the needs and interests of young people.
