Gloves4Grades 2018 Gym/ Playground
Donation protected
The Gloves 4 Grades program began in the spring of 2016 at the 12th and Park recreation center. We focused on working with a smaller group of students who were involved with 12th and Park’s boxing program. The organization began with hopes to simply fill the gap of equipment needs. If the organization was going to provide no-cost equipment then we sought a commitment from the kids toward their academics.
Upon getting to know the students and talking with them about their educational and boxing goals; we decided to work with them to give them an extra push in education as another road to opportunity. The expectation is typical where many of the students dream of becoming a professional fighter. Our program exposes the students to the possibility of establishing alternative career paths through education. The program has the benefit of providing academic support but it also aides in keeping kids off the street with an activity that builds character, self-esteem, and discipline. Moving into the second year of the program we saw tremendous growth expanding to multiple gyms across the city and touching more schools than ever before. We were able to give away two academic scholarships; one for the student with the highest GPA and one for the most improved. We have been fortunate to receive donations toward the 2018 school year of more scholarships.
We held sign ups in the gym and after getting permission from the parents of the students who wanted to join, we began tracking the student’s progress at school by receiving midterm grades and report cards as the year went on. The students were excited to show off their grades and were receptive when talking about their grades and gave us ideas on how we can help give them the tools to succeed. We not only had the support of 12th and Parks Boxing coach, Harold Petty, but also had the support of the professional fighters, as mentors, who train avidly at the recreation center.
At the end of the school year, we held our first award ceremony where we were able to award all of the students who had signed up for our program at the beginning of the year, a pair of boxing gloves. We were excited to talk to them about the strides that every single one of them made throughout their year within school and in the ring. We had such an amazing response from coaches, mentors, students, and parents that we strive to build upon our success.
Upon getting to know the students and talking with them about their educational and boxing goals; we decided to work with them to give them an extra push in education as another road to opportunity. The expectation is typical where many of the students dream of becoming a professional fighter. Our program exposes the students to the possibility of establishing alternative career paths through education. The program has the benefit of providing academic support but it also aides in keeping kids off the street with an activity that builds character, self-esteem, and discipline. Moving into the second year of the program we saw tremendous growth expanding to multiple gyms across the city and touching more schools than ever before. We were able to give away two academic scholarships; one for the student with the highest GPA and one for the most improved. We have been fortunate to receive donations toward the 2018 school year of more scholarships.
We held sign ups in the gym and after getting permission from the parents of the students who wanted to join, we began tracking the student’s progress at school by receiving midterm grades and report cards as the year went on. The students were excited to show off their grades and were receptive when talking about their grades and gave us ideas on how we can help give them the tools to succeed. We not only had the support of 12th and Parks Boxing coach, Harold Petty, but also had the support of the professional fighters, as mentors, who train avidly at the recreation center.
At the end of the school year, we held our first award ceremony where we were able to award all of the students who had signed up for our program at the beginning of the year, a pair of boxing gloves. We were excited to talk to them about the strides that every single one of them made throughout their year within school and in the ring. We had such an amazing response from coaches, mentors, students, and parents that we strive to build upon our success.
Organizer
Marty Joe Murray Jr.
Organizer
St Louis, MO
