Reach One Youth coaches students in sport and life

When Billy and Sandra Auguste ran into the students they once coached in basketball at the YMCA, they were disheartened. “We knew they planned to go to college, but they didn’t. Life got in the way and we realized there was a need for training in more than just sport. “

This led to the creation of Reach One Youth Organization, Inc., which reached high risk youth through sport and in life. Reach One Youth is one of nine local nonprofits awarded a $ 1,000 grant for their work by The Beatitude Foundation and #GiveTLH, a community effort funded by philanthropist and businessman Rick Kearney. Each organization’s history will be shared in Democrat, along with information on how you can help.

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Between Billy’s experience as a teacher and coach in local schools and Sandra’s professional work in social services, they felt called to collaborate in this way. They began to develop programs and activities designed for children aged 3 to 18 in the vulnerable 32304 postcode of Tallahassee. By first engaging them in a common interest in sport, the Augustees weave lessons that help ensure their academic and personal success.

“Sport was not enough,” explains Sandra. “The socio-economic factors in their lives meant they had to navigate so much. Earlier intervention was needed so that they could succeed beyond high school.

Team building programs were already a staple for their travel basketball teams, and the Augustees added tutoring, financial literacy, an introduction to the trades, character building experiences, and mentoring. . “We support them academically, socially, physically and emotionally,” says Billy, who also organizes college tours to help their charges visualize themselves in life after high school.

Reach One Youth has no paid staff and strives to keep participation fees affordable for families. Volunteers and donations are therefore essential. Program materials, children’s meals, sports equipment and more are all included for participants, and activities take place at the ALARM (Abundant Life and Restoration Ministries) International Church at 2532 West Tharpe St.

Reach One Youth is also partnering with FSU Sports Management, FAMU and Tallahassee Community College to involve student interns as volunteers.

Over 300 children and teens have participated in Reach One Youth programs over the past year, and alumni include business owner Derek Bundage, owner of Bundage Logistics Services, and NFL player Ronnie Harrison, who currently plays for the Cleveland Browns.

Harrison said in a testimonial: “I believe my experience with Coach Auguste made me the man I am today and it also helped on the football field. I enjoyed every moment I spent with him. trainer Auguste and I can say that I am really blessed to have had a role model like him in my life! “

Reach One Youth connects sport with family and teachers to ensure success in adulthood. Each child is supervised and depending on family life and the child’s unique situations, they often refer them to other social service agencies.

“Seeing parents smile, hearing their thanks and seeing how each of these students develop a work ethic and character makes us want to do more,” says Billy. “Our mission is to reach young people, to make an impact on lives and to inspire greatness. »Learn more about how you can help reachoneyouth.org.

The #GiveTLH series will culminate in November with a chance for Tallahassee readers to vote for their favorite nonprofit. In addition to a micro-grant for each featured organization, the three organizations with the most votes will receive grants of $ 10,000, $ 5,000 and $ 2,500 from the Beatitude Foundation. Stories will be compiled on give.tallahassee.com.

About #GiveTLH

#GiveTLH, underwritten by The Beatitude Foundation and Rick Kearney, is an overview of nine nonprofits in our community and how you can help them in their life-changing work. At the end of this series, Kearney will award grants to the nonprofit organization that gets the most votes in an online poll. For more profiles, visit give.tallahassee.com.

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