Athletes for charity (www.athletesforcharity.com)

Athletes for Charity is a New York based organization aimed at benefiting foster care youth by teaming up with professional athletes, sports leagues and teams, other sports professionals, as well as the general public to raise self esteem, coordinate educational workshops that teach the youth essential life skills, while also exposing them to sporting opportunities not otherwise available to them.

Athletes for Charity's work range from the planning and implementation of football camps for youth; holiday toy drives for underprivileged children; assisting with the establishment of foundations or charitable projects such as the Ryan Sims Foundation (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) which supports the fight against cancer and the Ovie Mughelli Project (Atlanta Falcons) which supports underprivileged youth initiatives in Charleston, SC, and Atlanta, GA; sponsoring youth groups to attend sporting events; enhancing and facilitating athlete appearances; and coordinating special events which include youth and athlete participation at  "Bowl with an Athlete" and "Back to School/Sports Day."

Athletes for Charity also supports the work of the following New York City based youth organizations, specifically focused on the health and wellness needs of youth, through various collaborative initiatives:

BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF NEW YORK CITY

Big Brothers Big Sisters of NYC (www.bigsnyc.org) is the preeminent organization whose mission is to provide mentors to children who need a caring, adult role model in their lives - a special friend who can help to expand their horizons and enrich their futures.  BBBS's volunteer mentoring programs consists of a diverse group of men and women who volunteer their time, talents and energy to support BBBS's programs for children and youth, working to improve the lives of the individual children as well as their families. Many children in New York are vulnerable children who may not be able to reach their full potential in growing up - youth who lack inspiration and experience to move beyond their daily survival to experience positive youth development.  With caring adult support during the crucial times in their life, children will be equipped to develop their skills and knowledge to become an important contributor to their community's future. The Big Brothers Big Sisters mentoring program is proven to be effective in helping children make important decisions. It has been proven that the program impacts positively on children's academic performance, diminishes violent behavior, and delays the use of drugs and alcohol. The on-going friendships increase self esteem, improve relationships with family and other adults in the children's lives, invite a more positive outlook on life and a better feeling about their future, and much more.

Members help promote BBBS by raising funds through various special events and volunteer activities.  The funds raised through these events enable BBBS of NYC to increase the number of youngsters who are matched with mentoring adults.  BBBS of NYC also uses the funds to sponsor such programs as the Parent Network program, which exposes parents/guardians to vital information and resources in regard to parenting, housing, educational opportunities, job opportunities, and support services for emotional, physical, and sexual abuse. 

Hale House CENTER, INC.  & MOTHER HALE LEARNING CENTER

Hale House Center, Inc. (www.halehouse.org) is a non-profit organization dedicated to building better futures for children and families in need through 24-hour infant and toddler residential care, developmental childcare programs, supportive housing, family stabilization efforts and community outreach.  For over three decades, the heart and soul of Hale House has been the Childcare Residence in a brownstone on 122nd Street. Hale House's tradition of caring for children and families in need continues as they expand their programming to include an early childhood learning center and transitional housing. Hale House remains committed to building better futures for children and families.

With a rich legacy of service established by founder Mother Clara Hale, Hale House delivers child-centered, family-focused programs that are responsive to the unique circumstances of each family they serve and the evolving social needs within the community and beyond.  Hale House believes in providing love, care, and understanding-unconditionally-to infants, children, and families in need of support.  The Harlem-based programs offer a safe, nurturing environment and an opportunity for a better future through individualized support and educational services.

Incarnation Children's Center

The IncarnationChildrenCenter (www.incarnationchildrenscenter.org) is a skilled nursing facility exclusively serving children and adolescents with HIV/AIDS. It provides specialized care in a nurturing environment for children and provides the child and his/her family with an interdisciplinary service designed to meet the challenges of pediatric HIV/AIDS and minimize its effects on the quality of their life. They serve as advocates for these infants, children and adolescents in all matters pertaining to their health care.

The Incarnation Children's Center provides comprehensive services consisting of:  (1) medical care via HIV specialized physicians, pediatric nurse practitioners, 24-hour care by registered and licensed nurses, certified nursing assistants, and a nutritionist; (2) social services; (3) psychotherapy/therapeutic counseling which includes individual, group and family therapy; (4) rehabilitation services such as occupational, physical and speech therapy; and (5) therapeutic recreation.

Inwood House

Inwood House (www.inwoodhouse.org) helps young people take charge of their lives and achieve healthy adulthood and self-reliance by encouraging responsible sexual choices. Inwood House is dedicated to helping adolescents achieve healthy adulthood and self-reliance. A pioneer in teen pregnancy prevention, Inwood House helps nearly 8,500 New York City and New Jersey youth develop the knowledge, skills and self-esteem they need to make responsible decisions and lead independent, productive lives. The Inwood House creates communities that promote caring and learning and are a source of hope, guidance and opportunity. Inwood House is an integral part of the social fabric of New York City communities. Informed by rigorous research and a highly qualified staff, we are constantly striving to discover new and more effective ways to address every aspect of teen pregnancy. All Inwood House programs take an asset-building approach which helps our young people acquire knowledge, develop their social and decision-making skills, clarify their values, improve their sense of self worth and empowerment, and connect to their community. Programs include the following initiatives: Teen Pregnancy Prevention & Teen Family Support; Teens Taking Charge: Inwood House Programs; Teen Choice; Boys to Men; Youth for REAL (Responsibility, Excellence, Achievement, Leadership), Maternity Residence; Mother/Baby Foster Care; Partners in Parenting (PIP); Young Fathers Program; Teen Family Services

Athletes for Charity has teamed up with two sports high schools to offer internship and mentoring opportunities for there students: the High School of Sports Management (Brooklyn, NY) and Sports Professions High School (Bronx, NY).  The objective is to expose the students to various genres of sports and careers in sports by creating opportunities for them to attend sporting events and/or meet with sports professionals throughout a series of monthly events.

*  Athletes for Charity maintains its status as a project of Congressional District Programs/Foundation and is a 501(c)(3), 509(a)(1) federal tax exemption. To learn more about Athletes for Charity please visit www.athletesforcharity.com or via email at info@athletesforcharity.com.