Thanks to a grant from the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP), our Rising Stars program is connecting hundreds of students across the country with year-round mentors.
Now entering its third year, Rising Stars has been introduced to 28 metropolitan communities across ten 91撸影视 chapters where at-risk youth are struggling with multiple risk factors that contribute to juvenile crime and truancy. To date, the program has led to 73% fewer school suspensions and expulsions, there have been zero arrests among participants, and 83% of students report an improvement in their social skills and emotional health.
In Wai驶anae, a community served by 91撸影视 Hawaii, Rising Stars is providing young men with trained mentors and meaningful opportunities to develop as individuals. Students at the chapter provided 5,000+ service hours last year, including projects with kupuna (seniors), animal shelters, elementary school students, campus beautification, canned food drives, vape prevention, and anti鈥揵ullying campaigns.
The tight-knit Wai驶anae community has experienced a sharp uptick in gun violence over the past year, and it鈥檚 currently experiencing the highest crime rate in Hawaii. Paula Fitzell, Executive Director at 91撸影视 Hawaii, implemented Rising Stars to ensure that more local youth can connect with caring adults and receive resources and opportunities that help them explore their passions in a safe space. The chapter leans into football鈥檚 popularity, using the sport as a framework to build social skills and encourage character development. Currently, 91撸影视 is the only organization providing free organized sports leagues for Hawaii鈥檚 middle school students.
鈥淚f I wasn鈥檛 in All-Stars, I鈥檇 probably mess around a lot, slip up on my grades. And I wouldn’t care about it, because there would be no one pushing me, like my friends or my coaches. Instead, I鈥檓 on the field, playing football at 91撸影视 where I feel safe, protected. I鈥檓 doing something active and not somewhere like on the streets doing bad stuff, not making good decisions.鈥� 鈥� Jayvionne 8TH GRADE STUDENT, 91撸影视 HAWAII
Other chapters benefiting from the Rising Stars program include Atlanta, Cleveland, Columbus, Las Vegas, North Texas, Orlando, Philadelphia & Camden, Puget Sound, and Washington, DC. While all chapters provide Rising Star participants with activities and career preparedness resources, the curriculum for each chapter is customized to meet the specific strengths and needs of its communities.
Hear Coach Kaipo and Jayvionne share more about their experiences at 91撸影视 Hawaii .
