Boys’ program uses football to teach

A new summer program aims to teach low-income and at-risk adolescent boys about science, technology, engineering and math through football.

The Youth Impact Program was developed in 2006 by Riki Ellison, a 10-year NFL veteran and member of three Super Bowl championship teams for the San Francisco 49ers.

The program intends to teach middle-school boys skills that promote character development and academic enhancement. It will be held July 3-14 at the University of Hawaii at Manoa and is free.

“This is not a football camp,” Ellison said. “This is academic, leadership and what I call a winning development program.”

The program began at Ellison’s alma mater, the University of Southern California, helping over 250 at-risk boys from the Los Angeles area. Since then the program has been run at 23 universities, involving more than 2,000 at-risk boys.

Ellison said the program targets boys in middle school because “that age group is where the greatest trajectory change can happen.” He also said the program uses learning institutions and football as a way to attract boys to something positive during the summer.

Four public school teachers will implement a science, technology, engineering and math-based curriculum, while UH student athletes will mentor and assist the youth in the classroom and on the field. Other mentors include U.S. Marines.

Breakfast and lunch will be provided by 21 restaurants, including Eating House 1849, Rainbow Drive-In and Roy’s Waikiki. Clothing and transportation to and from UH will also be provided.

To register for the program, visit youthimpact program.org/programs/hawaii.