At-risk youth boxing fund drive
Your House Boxing Community Club has been serving at-risk youth in Seattle's Rainier Beach neighborhood since January 2013. Founded by Chris Cates-Lopez, YHBCC's mission is to provide mentoring, counseling, educational support, boxing lessons, and a sense of community to youth ages 12-22, all at no cost to the kids. Our program runs out of the Rainier Beach Community Center on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 3:00-6:00 p.m. 
Your donation will help at-risk youth in Seattle have a safe place to go after school where they can get help with their homework, interact with peers in a positive environment, and learn to box. Boxing is a great way to channel negative emotions into something that becomes a positive experience. Kids who come to YHBCC develop confidence, a sense of purpose, and discipline.
Our doors open at 3:00 and the kids do homework, fill out applications for jobs or college, and get a chance to talk about their day and their problems with staff.
"I love coming to YHBCC. It gives me a place to be myself and hang out with people I trust and care about. The staff really care for me and have given me a place to unwind and chill out after school, and I learn to box. I've also lost 20 pounds and feel happier than ever." - 16 year old female.
2015 was a great year for YHBCC, and 2016 will be even better. Our program is growing; we went from regularly having 6-10 kids attending each day, to 12-20. Fortunately, we received generous equipment donations to meet the demand. 
One of our kids left us to attend Washington State University as a freshman, and several others are slated to go to college in the fall of 2016.
In 2016 you can help these kids realize their fullest potential in the gym, in school, and in the community as we prepare some of them for amateur competition in the ring, and all of them for success in the classroom and beyond.
"This teaches me discipline and it keeps me healthy. It also helps me keep up on my homework and helps me get better grades." - 16 year old male.
"At YHBCC I have learned how to box. My body is strong and I've learned discipline. It's also made me mentally hungry for success in life, and made me a better man. I know how to box, how to protect myself, and I have a lot more confidence." - 17 year old male.
"Before this program, I had anger and trust issues with EVERYBODY. Now I feel a lot calmer, healthier, and fit. It gives me an exhilirating feeling of independence and confidence, and it's tamed my anger. This program is like another family for me; they help me with my homework and with emotional problems in life." - 17 year old female.
Your donation will help us expand services, as we plan to operate four days per week rather than just three, and we'll begin exploring opportunities for the kids to engage in community service activities to deepen a sense of constructive and positive connection to their environment.
One of the best things to happen in 2015 was when 2004 Olympic Gold medalist and former super middleweight champion Andre Ward visited out gym just before Thanksgiving. He came and worked with the kids on their boxing technique, spoke with them about success in life both inside and outside the ring, and also brought us some pizza!
It was a great opportunity for our kids to connect with someone who has been through some of the struggles they face and has achieved success at the highest level by dedicating himself to what he loves to do. He is a great inspiration to all of us, and we hope he'll return in the future to see how we grow.
“This program has impacted me in a real way. It has given me an opportunity to get away from gang life. It has given me an escape. I feel like I can come to an environment were everybody’s on one accord. The trainers are excellent and very helpful. When I need to talk, they listen. When I need to walk they give me that space. It is an opportunity to be myself, work hard at what I love, as well as relieve stress.” 20-year old male
“I was assigned to this program by my counselor. I thought it was just a place to get my anger out but then learned that it was more. I could be myself. Everyone was open and I made friends that I don’t think I would have been friends with. I rarely stick to programs, but I like how flexible this is. If I miss a day, it’s okay. The staff is understanding. I also like the small group and individual attention.” 16-year old female
“Boxing has changed me in so many ways. It’s given me self-discipline: I have to come on time, treat my body right. When I’m boxing I have to be patient, wait for an opening – every move matters. I love having the opportunity to spar. I like that it is an individual sport, that it’s all on me to win. It has increased my confidence in myself and has given me the opportunity to think about my future, about what I want to do. I know that if I work hard and long, I can accomplish anything. There’s so much I like about boxing. I have better hand-eye coordination; it’s increased my character, and keeps me out of trouble. I wish the gym was open five days a week and that we could have our own space. Oh and I’d love to get one of those body shaped punching stands!” 17-year old male.
Our biggest challenges in 2016 will be meeting the growing needs of an expanding program, as our increased population necessitates hiring a second coach. And with some of the kids ready to compete, your donation will help us register the club with USA Boxing and register each athlete so they can participate in amateur competition.
With an annual operating budget of approximately $15,000, we're looking to get a jump start on 2016 by raising one third of that while we organize fund raising events for later in the year. We plan on holding a boxing demonstration/workout for local donors, and will seek out corporate donors who may be interested in helping steer all the kids who walk through our doors in a more positive direction when they walk out.
Your donation means a lot to us, and especially to the kids. Not every kid is going to be a boxing champion, but everyone who walks through our doors walks out with a sense of belonging, purpose, and pride. All of our kids have seen their grades improve, their sense of self-worth and competence rise, and they have a stronger sense of community, both inside and outside the gym.
We are excited about what 2016 has in store for our growing program. We look forward to engaging the kids in community service projects and amateur boxing competition to continue the growth of each of them as individuals and of our organization as a whole. We thank you for your generosity, and look forward to meeting all the challenges the expansion of our program demands.
If you'd like to learn more about our program, our history, and our philosophy, check out our website at http://www.yhbcc.org/
Thank you,
Pete Sheehy
Director of Boxing, YHBCC