Alejandro Zavala wishes the National Youth Sports Program lasted longer.
He has spent the past five weeks swimming, playing volleyball, learning and making friends at the University of Utah. And though the 11-year-old has a long way to go before college, he has already decided he wants to come back to the U. to "get more education."Zavala, born in Mexico, lives in Salt Lake with Lake City with his mother.
So far, Zavala is a National Youth Sports Program success story. Now a second-year participant, he has learned that "drugs kill your brain cells" and "gangsters make trouble." Though the U.'s free summer program for economically disadvantaged youths is a sports program, they learn a lot more than how to kick a soccer ball.
Nearly 250 young people ages 10-16 registered for the program. Local program coordinators recruited students from Northwest Middle School, Edison Elementary and Lincoln Elementary - schools where more than half of the students live below poverty level.
Twice a week, some groups participate in a community service. They paint murals, cover graffiti and visit nursing homes and AIDS patients.AIDS patients.
The service component is unique to the U. program, and Reese believes it is one of its strongest features. "It's a way for them to understand the needs of others, to contribute something to society."
All participants get a free medical exam and assurance of follow-up care. Some children needed cardiology care, and one child had a gang tatoo removed. Program directors help families get Medicaid if further medical attention is necessary.
But the main purpose of the program is to give the kids something to do, something to look forward to and somewhere safe to play. "If they can take one positive thing from this program, then we've succeeded," said Naomi Kauhane, a teacher at Northwest and activities coordinator for the summer program. "It's neat to see them happy, smiling and safe."
Reese hopes that introducing the kids to a college campus will set them on a road to higher education. "We want to get them comfortable with the notion of college."
And while many of the kids are conscious only of the sport at hand, some have noticed the relative peace and quiet of the expansive campus.
"It's nice to come up here and get away from the neighborhood," said Zavala. "I like it here. I've never seen anything like it."