Program for At-Risk Youth
Donation protected
My name is Yuki. I'm a poet and I currently work at a public library in a neighborhood called Sulphur Springs in Tampa, Florida. This neighborhood is rampant with poverty and violence, particularly among young people. There are frequent gun shootings and it has, unfortunately, become a typical part of life for residents.
An article from Tampa Bay Online (TBO), an affiliation of the Tampa Bay Times, writes: “The Sulphur Springs community is recognized as one of the most socially and economically depressed areas in Hillsborough County, with 43 percent of the population living in poverty, as compared to 13 percent countywide. " Regarding the community of Sulphur Springs, City of Tampa Mayor Buckhorn has stated “the community has the highest percentage of young people on probation. The crime rate in that area is still high." He also commented that “social service groups and church organizations have helped, but the neighborhood is still a work in progress” and "what we're doing is working, but we need a lot more help.”
I'm trying to start a nonprofit youth program called "The Battleground" in Sulphur Springs that teaches rap/poetry and martial arts to youth.
Why rap/poetry and martial arts?
I observe that many of the youth participate in physical fighting, out of necessity as well as enjoyment. I also observe that many teens in the community gather on the street to conduct rap cyphers, where they display verbal lyrical prowess, or what’s called “battles.” "The Battleground" program is an effort to create value from the culture of physical and lyrical battling that already exists among Sulphur Springs youth. Martial arts and rap/poetry instruction through The Battleground will provide youth with an opportunity to transform their external battling tendencies into winning the battle within themselves.
Research shows that there are proven benefits of implementing a rap/poetry program among youth, particularly at-risk youth. Many at-risk youth who participate in rap/poetry programs have developed self-esteem through positive self-expression. There are also many proven benefits in martial arts instruction to youth. Unfortunately, the only martial arts instruction that is currently available near the Sulphur Springs area costs $75 per week per child, amounting to $300 per month per child. Considering the high poverty rate of Sulphur Springs, most of the youth there currently don’t have the ability to benefit from martial arts instruction. If there were free martial arts instruction provided in Sulphur Springs, the youth there would have access to a program that would teach them focus, discipline, and problem-solving skills.
What would the successful operation of "The Battlefield" look like?
OBJECTIVE 1. Over the next year, conduct a rap/poetry workshop once a week to a group of 5-7 youth from ages 12 to 18 years old. To sponsor a monthly rap/poetry open mic event for any youth in the community ages 12 to 18 years old.
OBJECTIVE 2. Over the next year, provide martial arts instruction twice a week to one group of 6-10 youth from ages 8 to 18 years old.
PLANNED ACTIVITIES
1. Rap/Poetry Program
The Battleground will conduct a rap/poetry workshop once a week over a one year period, inviting established local poets and rappers as guest presenters and facilitators. Each workshop will include a presentation, distribution of materials supporting the topic, discussion, and time for each participant to craft a poem or rap. Materials needed for workshops include one laptop computer as a multimedia teaching resource, photocopies of poems and rap verses, books relating to the art of poetry and rap, folders, notebooks, pens, and light refreshments. Participation in the workshop will require no financial payment. The requirement for participation will include a photocopy of the youth’s current report card (to be updated each reporting period), signing of a code of conduct form, and the signing of a parental consent form. The Battleground will host a rap and poetry open mic event once a month that will serve as a venue for the workshop participants to display their work. The open mic event will also serve as an opportunity for youth in the community who are not workshop participants to have a positive outlet to express themselves and share their personal narratives and perspectives through the art of poetry and rap. Incentives for participation in the open mic event will include a ticket entry to win prizes such as gift certificates and gift baskets.
2. Martial Arts Program
The Battleground will conduct a martial arts class twice a week over a one year period. Each class will include both philosophical and physical instruction. Materials needed will include exercise mats, t-shirts, jogging pants, and light refreshments. Participation in the class will require no financial payment. The requirement for participation will include a photocopy of the youth’s current report card (to be updated each reporting period), signing of a code of conduct form, and the signing of a parental consent form.
3. OUTREACH/FOLLOW UP
The Battleground will recruit participants through word of mouth. Promotion for the monthly rap/poetry event will also be conveyed through word of mouth as well as promotional flyers posted in the community. Social media, such as Facebook and Instagram, will be utilized to provide rap/poetry workshop and martial arts class schedule reminders and updates, to supply poetry, rap, and martial arts inspiration, and showcase the youth’s work.
The Battleground will maintain a record of the youth’s paperwork, grades and status while they are active participants in the program. Individual follow-up sessions will be conducted monthly with each youth who is an active participant in the program. After the one year term, The Battleground will also follow-up with former participants monthly via phone call or in-person meeting. The status of each former participant will be recorded to provide long-term data on the impact of the program.
Several youth have already expressed enthusiastic interest when asked if they would want to participate in free martial arts or rap/poetry sessions in Sulphur Springs.
I'm looking for supporters who will help me get "The Battlefield" incorporated officially as a nonprofit organization and to get it off the ground. Thank you so much for your time and support!
An article from Tampa Bay Online (TBO), an affiliation of the Tampa Bay Times, writes: “The Sulphur Springs community is recognized as one of the most socially and economically depressed areas in Hillsborough County, with 43 percent of the population living in poverty, as compared to 13 percent countywide. " Regarding the community of Sulphur Springs, City of Tampa Mayor Buckhorn has stated “the community has the highest percentage of young people on probation. The crime rate in that area is still high." He also commented that “social service groups and church organizations have helped, but the neighborhood is still a work in progress” and "what we're doing is working, but we need a lot more help.”
I'm trying to start a nonprofit youth program called "The Battleground" in Sulphur Springs that teaches rap/poetry and martial arts to youth.
Why rap/poetry and martial arts?
I observe that many of the youth participate in physical fighting, out of necessity as well as enjoyment. I also observe that many teens in the community gather on the street to conduct rap cyphers, where they display verbal lyrical prowess, or what’s called “battles.” "The Battleground" program is an effort to create value from the culture of physical and lyrical battling that already exists among Sulphur Springs youth. Martial arts and rap/poetry instruction through The Battleground will provide youth with an opportunity to transform their external battling tendencies into winning the battle within themselves.
Research shows that there are proven benefits of implementing a rap/poetry program among youth, particularly at-risk youth. Many at-risk youth who participate in rap/poetry programs have developed self-esteem through positive self-expression. There are also many proven benefits in martial arts instruction to youth. Unfortunately, the only martial arts instruction that is currently available near the Sulphur Springs area costs $75 per week per child, amounting to $300 per month per child. Considering the high poverty rate of Sulphur Springs, most of the youth there currently don’t have the ability to benefit from martial arts instruction. If there were free martial arts instruction provided in Sulphur Springs, the youth there would have access to a program that would teach them focus, discipline, and problem-solving skills.
What would the successful operation of "The Battlefield" look like?
OBJECTIVE 1. Over the next year, conduct a rap/poetry workshop once a week to a group of 5-7 youth from ages 12 to 18 years old. To sponsor a monthly rap/poetry open mic event for any youth in the community ages 12 to 18 years old.
OBJECTIVE 2. Over the next year, provide martial arts instruction twice a week to one group of 6-10 youth from ages 8 to 18 years old.
PLANNED ACTIVITIES
1. Rap/Poetry Program
The Battleground will conduct a rap/poetry workshop once a week over a one year period, inviting established local poets and rappers as guest presenters and facilitators. Each workshop will include a presentation, distribution of materials supporting the topic, discussion, and time for each participant to craft a poem or rap. Materials needed for workshops include one laptop computer as a multimedia teaching resource, photocopies of poems and rap verses, books relating to the art of poetry and rap, folders, notebooks, pens, and light refreshments. Participation in the workshop will require no financial payment. The requirement for participation will include a photocopy of the youth’s current report card (to be updated each reporting period), signing of a code of conduct form, and the signing of a parental consent form. The Battleground will host a rap and poetry open mic event once a month that will serve as a venue for the workshop participants to display their work. The open mic event will also serve as an opportunity for youth in the community who are not workshop participants to have a positive outlet to express themselves and share their personal narratives and perspectives through the art of poetry and rap. Incentives for participation in the open mic event will include a ticket entry to win prizes such as gift certificates and gift baskets.
2. Martial Arts Program
The Battleground will conduct a martial arts class twice a week over a one year period. Each class will include both philosophical and physical instruction. Materials needed will include exercise mats, t-shirts, jogging pants, and light refreshments. Participation in the class will require no financial payment. The requirement for participation will include a photocopy of the youth’s current report card (to be updated each reporting period), signing of a code of conduct form, and the signing of a parental consent form.
3. OUTREACH/FOLLOW UP
The Battleground will recruit participants through word of mouth. Promotion for the monthly rap/poetry event will also be conveyed through word of mouth as well as promotional flyers posted in the community. Social media, such as Facebook and Instagram, will be utilized to provide rap/poetry workshop and martial arts class schedule reminders and updates, to supply poetry, rap, and martial arts inspiration, and showcase the youth’s work.
The Battleground will maintain a record of the youth’s paperwork, grades and status while they are active participants in the program. Individual follow-up sessions will be conducted monthly with each youth who is an active participant in the program. After the one year term, The Battleground will also follow-up with former participants monthly via phone call or in-person meeting. The status of each former participant will be recorded to provide long-term data on the impact of the program.
Several youth have already expressed enthusiastic interest when asked if they would want to participate in free martial arts or rap/poetry sessions in Sulphur Springs.
I'm looking for supporters who will help me get "The Battlefield" incorporated officially as a nonprofit organization and to get it off the ground. Thank you so much for your time and support!
Organizer
Yuki Jackson
Organizer
Tampa, FL
