Sports that make you think...
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>View discussions about this entry Country: United States
Organization: RAAD Enrichment Program/Sports Buddies
Sport: Other
Year the initative began (yyyy) 2007
Project URL: http://www.raadenrichment.org
Positioning in the Mosaic of solutions
What is your signature innovation, your new idea, in one sentence? Making of difference in the lives of children
Describe your innovation. What makes your idea unique and different than others doing work in the field? The project is based on the cooperative learning theme and not competition. This way, all program participants are asked to work together to achieve specific goals in order to complete the assigned task.
What are the existing barriers, the biggest problem, your innovation is hoping to address/change? Everyone has a role on a team in order to complete the task.
Delivery Model: How do you implement your innovation and apply it to the challenge/problem you are addressing? Through sports programs that have manipulated athletes into thinking that winning is everything.
How do you plan to grow your innovation? One child at a time.
Provide one sentence describing your impact/intended impact. Drastic changes in the psychology of competitive sports.
What impact has your innovation had to date/or what is your intended impact? Exactly who are the beneficiaries? We have been instumental in the development of Girls in Sports equity projects, we have outlined and worked to reduce juvenile crimes in low income communities. We have worked directly with various school districts to implement our innovative approach to sports.
Please list any other measures reflective of the impact of your innovation? Crime reduction
Truancy reduction Healthy living Fitness projects Educational services Emotional support Changing the psychology of athletes and their parents What are the main barriers to creating or achieving your impact? The hesitancy of sports director's to adopt these new approaches.
How is your initiative financed (or how do you expect your initiative will be financed)? We manage through the likes of private funding, fundraising, local funding and grants.
If known, provide information on your finances and organization. 200,000
400,000 7 fulltime 6 parttime 255 volunteers What is the potential demand for your innovation? Extremely High
What are the main barriers to financial sustainability? Competition with larger programs (YMCA, Boys & Girls Club)
What is the origin of this innovation? Tell us your story. This project was first tested in 1999, while teaching Special Education to students with behavior problems. The initial reception was not favorable, but after several tries to enhance the program, the participants grew to enjoy the program much more than traditional sprts and recreational services.
Please provide a personal bio. Note this may be used in Changemakers marketing material. James walton is a former teacher of ten years. Mr. Walton is also the former director for the Los Angeles School District and its Youth Services and L.A.'s Best after-school programs respectively. James has gone on to manage programs for the YMCA, Jewish Big Brother's, L.A. Housing Authority, County of Los Angeles Probation Department and various non-profits. He is now developing programs for various school districts in the County of Los Angeles.
Contact Information:
James Walton
Executive Director RAAD Enrichment Program/Sports Buddies (Recreation, Academics, Athletics & Development (RAAD)) Discussions about this entry |
I like the idea or saying 'Sport that make you think'... and I agree it is a huge challenge ahead for those in the sport world who wish to change it for the better and change the dynamics of competitive sports and the way we impact kids but could you provide a more concreate example, because I agree with your ideals but in practise I would be inspired to see how this works!
All the best,
Hi James,
You have a different approach. Can you give me a specific example of your cooperative learning theme vs competition. Perhaps you can recall the example of one of your children, and how the teacher interacted with them to get the results that you are looking to instill.
thanks,
lady a
We aim to impact the lives of children based on our personal experiences and the lessons we've learned by our direct participation in sports. We challenge other people to do the same on some level. Is it possible to change the dynamics of competitive sports and the way we impact kids? You decide...
James Walton, MA. (Saybrook Graduate and Research School)