Michigan All-Stars Track and Field Club Mission Statement Purpose Improve the academic performance of young people ages 6 to 18, especially students of color in the Ypsilanti, Michigan area by supporting the expansion of the Michigan All Stars Track and Field Club's (MATFC) Education Enrichment program. Program Far too many young people, especially young people of color, are under performing in school and in life. This trend is particularly dire for middle and high school-aged youth of color. More often than not, organized sports provide participants structure, safety, and mentorship, a sense of belonging, physical exercise, and exposure to other cultures. To this end, the mission of the Michigan All Stars Track and Field Club (MATFC) is to: 1) foster relationships between young people, parents, coaches, and other caring adults; 2) provide academic support and tutoring for youth in need of additional guidance and support; and 3) expose young people to new experiences through travel and structured competition. MATFC's organizers fundamentally believe that athletics, particularly track and field, is a fun and healthy way to nurture disciplined, intellectually curious and socially responsible young men and women. Founded in 2005, the MATFC is a youth track/field program the love the young people have for sports as a "hook" to promote healthy living, academic success, and conflict resolution. Based in Ypsilanti, Michigan, and serving various Southeastern Michigan communities (e.g. Detroit, Canton, Inkster, and Redford), MATFC's teams are comprised of young people ages 6 through 18. The organization participates in several established amateur track and field leagues throughout the Midwestern United States including, but not limited to, the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU), USA Track and Field (USATF), and the Michigan Indoor Youth Series (MIYS). Expanding the Scope of MATFC's Education Programming. MATFC recognizes that it must expand is current education program to offset the alarming numbers of students that are failing classes and/or being expelled/suspended from school. With this goal in mind, funds from this grant will be used to strengthen MATFC academic programs which currently focus on Mathematics, Reading Comprehension and Effective Study Skills/Techniques. More specifically funds will be used to secure a partnership between MATFC and KUMON, a nationally recognized academic enrichment program. Kumon uses several strategies to improve participant's understanding of the techniques and principles associated with learning including: • Developing an intensive mentor-student relationship. • Partnering with the student to create an individualized learning agenda • Fostering a "self motivated approach to learning" which results in the student taking ownership of their own learning process. To supplement the KUMON academic enrichment component, MATFC will partner with Eastern Michigan University (EMU) and the University of Michigan (UofM) Departments of Education to further develop each player's individual study skills. On a bi-monthly basis, MATFC will work with each school (the specific professors and/or graduate students has yet to be indentified) to conduct study sessions with participants. These sessions will not focus on individual subjects, but on techniques on how to study. Specifically, the session will cover the following key study strategies: • Organization and time management, such as assignment and grade tracking, organization of papers and binders, study planning, and goal setting. • Note-taking, covering everything from listening skills and following directions to managing and presenting information to practical note taking. • Reading and studying, including using notes effectively, handling textbooks, researching and writing reports and learning-specific study techniques. • Test taking and strategies such as showing participants how to approach multiple choice and essay tests and how to overcome anxiety. Strengthening MATFC's Organizational Capacity. The organization is led by Radford Greaves, a long time youth advocate in Southeastern Michigan. Affectionately known as "Coach Rad" Radford has worked to assemble a strong cadre of coaches, parents, and advisors to oversee the organization's athletic and educational programming. Funds from this grant will be used to increase the organization's capacity to meet the challenges of expanding the overall scope of the program, increase the number of participants, and intensify current educational offerings. In addition, funds will be used to provide lead coaches and mentors with targeted professional development and training. Anticipated training and development topics including board leadership, streamlining operations, fiscal management, programmatic development, and partnership formation. The lessons learned about leadership development, partnership, capacity building, and expansion have direct implications for much of the Foundation's work grantees are faced with issues/opportunities related to growth and sustainability. This project serves as an important learning opportunity for the Foundation. A grant such as this increases the Foundation's ability to effectively support the efforts of small, yet effective non-profit organizations like MATFC that are primed to expand. Team Structure - Training Model Copyright © 2009-2012 Michigan All-Stars Track and Field