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Atlas Cops & Kids Boxing
Program
Making Difference In NYC
When government funding ceased three years ago for the New
York City Police Athletic League ("PAL") Cops & Kids Boxing
program, The Dr. Theodore A. Atlas Foundation absorbed
operational costs, expanded its reach into education, and
today it is making life-changing differences for hundreds of
inner-city youths between the ages of 10 and 21.
Certified by USA Boxing, the Atlas Cops & Kids Boxing
Program has been a knockout of a success, providing a safe
place for city kids to go after school. Members not only
learn how to box, some developing into team members for
competitive tournaments like the famed Daily News Golden
Gloves, but also build camaraderie, discipline, self-esteem
and character.
The program now has gyms at Park Hill in Staten Island,
where 2012 U.S. Olympic Boxing Team member Marcus Browne
developed his skills, and Flatbush Gardens in Brooklyn with
more gyms soon opening in Brownsville and Berry Houses in
Staten Island, as well as future plans to open gyms in the
Bronx, Manhattan and Queens.
The Dr. Atlas Foundation, a non-profit organization founded
by renowned boxing trainer and television analyst Teddy
Atlas in his father's memory, currently leases gym space for
$1.00 a year for its Brooklyn and Staten Island locations.
Operational costs, however, are approximately $50,000 for
each gym, including equipment, computers, teachers, coaches,
etc.
Unlike other charitable organizations that may keep up to
80-percent of funds for expenses and administrative fees,
nearly 100-percent of all monies raised by the Dr. Atlas
Foundation go directly to needy families and individuals.
Fundraising, however, especially during today's strained
economic times, simply isn't enough anymore. Sponsorships,
corporate and individual, and public donations are
desperately needed to continue The Foundation's invaluable
community work.
"During the past 15 years," Teddy said, "the Dr. Atlas
Foundation has given millions of dollars directly to people
in need. The money may go towards cancer treatment, medical
expenses not covered by insurance, medical equipment,
Christmas presents for kids, and many other ways to help
sick children and families. Other organizations claim that
monies raised go toward research, but the future is now for
people in need. We get calls every day from people in need,
many of whom were directed to us from these other
organizations. Our programs are getting real results."
The Atlas Cops & Kids Boxing Program offers much more than
learning the sweet science and demands strict membership
requirements. Each gym has an academic learning center and
all gym members are subject to a review of their report
cards and adherence to a set of rules established for proper
behavior and appearance.
"The boxing program is needed for wayward kids with little
or no direction," Atlas continued. "Our gyms give them a
place to go for hope; building confidence and making them
feel better about themselves. They get the tools there that
they need to grow-up and become productive people. It is an
important, valuable alternative to violence, crime and
drugs. That's what boxing does like no other sport. It helps
kids find themselves. Not only do they discover things that
they didn't know were available to them, they gain pride and
confidence in themselves. Our program is a platform for them
to have dignity. The Dr. Atlas Foundation has been helping
needy people with medical expenses, relocation assistance,
and for other areas like that. But violence is a sickness
and we're helping to prevent that with our gyms. I agreed to
absorb the boxing program with a twist - education
components had to be part of it. We established behavioral
rules and conduct with disciplinary consequences. The kids
have to keep their grades up if they want to train. Pat
Russo did a great job as the PAL boxing program director and
he's continuing to do a great job as the director of our
program."
Russo proudly and happily remains in charge today. "I
couldn't walk away from these kids after 20 years as the PAL
gyms director," Russo explained. "I'd known Teddy for years
and called him saying we had seven gyms and 1000 kids who
were going to be turned out in the streets. Teddy saw this
as preventative in terms of sickness, crime activity and
drugs. We always taught the value of education and becoming
a productive person, so this program fit into the Dr. Atlas
Foundation organization.
"Kids want to be a part of something and we're providing a
positive alternative to gangs and drug activity. People in
power have a bias for some reason against boxing, but it
costs about $100,000 to incarcerate a teenager. It costs us
$50,000 a year to run one of these gyms, where we can guide
200 or more kids and keep them out of jail. There are a lot
of one-parent kids here who don't really know what's out
there for them. We had one kid who just entered the Police
Academy. It's tough. They can't pay money to be here but
there's no cost to help making a good kid into something for
themselves. We're mentors. They really want discipline and
it's really working."
Donations and sponsorships are needed to help fund the Atlas
Cops & Kids Boxing Program. For more information go online
to
http://www.dratlasfoundation.com/boxingclubs.html
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