Alternative Schools Partnerships
U-TURN has expanded its services to highly at-risk youth attending alternative schools. Due to destructive lifestyle attitudes and actions, these youth have been expelled from the public school system. Many have been incarcerated and/or are teetering on the edge of serving time in either a juvenile or adult correctional facility.
U-TURN has believed in making a difference in the lives of inner city, at risk youth from its inception. It is excited about working with alternative schools during its non-core hours (9 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.) to provide its physical education/ athletic development curriculum to some of the most needy special ed youth in Richmond.
Adhering to the Physical Education Standards of Learning (SOL) for Virginia Public Schools, U-TURN provides a state of the art athletic training venue as well as certified coaches and trainers. Through various training scenarios, U-TURN teaches youth technical and tactical aspects of sports and competition. Self-responsibility, teamwork and trust are the social fruits that this partnership aims to see born in the hearts and lives of these kids – as well as becoming physically healthier.
One successful partnership has already emerged with the Richmond-based Associated Educational Services (AES) of Virginia. After a successful eight-week summer 2004 tennis and volleyball program at U-TURN, AES contracted U-TURN to provide its school with a performance-based athletic training and physical education module for its kids for the 2004 – 2005 academic year. Both AES and U-TURN look forward to a long and successful partnership in reshaping these kids’ minds, bodies and spirits.
AES Testimonies
"I enjoy coming to U-TURN because it's very challenging for me. It brings out skills I didn't know I had."
- Tiarra Jackson
"I got better with my footwork and my upper body. When I first came to U-TURN I was benching 100 lbs, now I am benching 150 lbs. My basketball game got better."
- Buck Harris
"U-TURN has excellent staff and they encourage the youth to improve mentally as well as physically. U-TURN has inspired me
to become more aware of my health."
- Teacher Darrick Thornhill
"The staff at U-TURN have done an excellent job with assisting our youth with building character, introducing new activities,
teamwork and endurance."
- Teacher Ms. Bryant
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