As we find ourselves in the midst of the holiday season and the spirit of giving, I am hoping that this column will inspire some of our amazing SCOOP readers to contribute to this worthy cause. What is the cause? Giving our youth something positive to do to keep them busy, to exert their energy in a positive way, and to teach them some life skills along the way.
Enter Coach Derrick Stanton, who retired from the United States Army.
Coach Derrick Stanton coaches for two groups; he's the head coach at Murrell Dobbins High School at 22nd and W. Lehigh Avenue in North Philadelphia, and he's also the founder and head coach for Tri-State Basketball, Inc. a nonprofit organization for male boys and teens that he founded.
Here's some of what Coach Stanton shared with me when I interviewed him recently.
"I'm doing what I do because it's needed; I grew up pretty poor, and we didn't have summer vacations and things like that--the only thing we had was basketball.
Basketball, is what kept me going as a kid, and that's pretty much what kept all the boys I knew back in those days; basketball kept our whole community going. I figured that's the same way I could give back today. Basketball, particularly in the summer months, used to make us so happy I figured I could do the same thing now. I know a lot of people who like to think that children today are different from us and the way we grew up back in the day, but if we provide our youth with the same opportunities that we had, they will do many of the same things that we did. We like to see our children going outside and enjoying recreational activities instead of sitting in front of YouTube all the time or playing on their cell phones. Kids are kids, and I think if we provide them with the opportunity, we'll find that today's youth are just like we were; they have dreams and visions for the future."
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Evans: Much of GOP Agenda is Unpopular and We'll Fight It
He doesn't think people voted for higher prices or denial of healthcare.
How to root out Trumpism
So many of you have asked me how one of the most loathsome people in America was just reelected president that I thought you might find it helpful if I shared with you some personal history.
Kraft Heinz stops serving school-designed Lunchables because of low demand
At the time, Kraft Heinz said the offerings were protein-enriched and contained reduced levels of saturated fat and levels of saturated fat and sodium to meet the requirements of the national free and reduced-price school lunch program.
Independence Blue Cross invites members to join free in-person and virtual events to learn more about Medicare
Independence Blue Cross (IBX) is holding free events and online webinars to help existing members learn more about Medicare.
In honor of Veterans Day and our troops "God's Military Force"
Since the beginning of time, whenever man established a nation, country, or kingdom, he also developed a Military Force to protect that kingdom from enemies and, if necessary, back that Government in enforcing its law.
Phila. Water Dept.highlights conservation tips under drought watch
The Philadelphia Water Department supports the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection’s (PADEP) call for reduced water use by residents in Philadelphia and 35 additional counties.
SEPTA announces major fare increase proposal for Jan.1
With no prospect of a statewide solution to help fund the everyday operating expenses of public transportation systems, SEPTA announced a new fare increase proposal that would see rates jump by more than 20% across all modes and methods of payment.
At an art festival in Dakar, artists from both sides of the Atlantic examine the legacy of slavery
A whirlwind of color and art at the opening of this year's Dakar Biennale of Contemporary African Art in the Senegalese capital stood in stark contrast to the serious topic of slavery featuring in the artworks of guest artists from the United States.
The torch is passed: from MAGA throwbacks to America's future
Joe Biden didn't just pass the torch to another generation. He passed it from white MAGA men to America's future.
Blood tests for Alzheimer's may be coming to your doctor's office. Here's what to know
New blood tests could help doctors diagnose Alzheimer's disease faster and more accurately, researchers reported Sunday but some appear to work far better than others.
