Poweryouths Soccer Program Needs A Home!

Poweryouths Soccer Program was founded by myself in March of 2010. Its goal is to provide an affordable and convenient opportunity for our youth (boys and girls, 4-16) to learn to play soccer. Our fee is $40 per month. I learned to play soccer when I was a youth (4 years old!) in Grenada. I didn't have to pay to learn. It was free. Thank goodness. Every youth soccer program I am aware of in Brooklyn costs money. In some cases it can be an arm and a leg.
The problem is that in our Flatbush neighborhood, it is difficult to obtain a permit (for an outdoor field or an indoor gym). School gyms especially are down right expensive and for a low budget program as Poweryouths, it is inaffordable. For example PS139 gym will cost almost $5000 from November 2010 to March 2011. We don't have sponsors and fundraising has been difficult. Our coaches are not being paid. Bless them. Special shout out to Coaches Gary, Messaoud, Desmond, Glen and Richard and to our soccer moms and dads.
We are in dire need of any and every support we can get, albeit, parental, community, city or business or otherwise (so long as its legal of course).
The owner of Best Bites restaurant told us that he will not support Poweryouths fundraiser event held at Plentys Paradise in October 16th, 2010. Plenty's Paradise however was very supportive and generous.
That's what I call, win some, lose some.
Now that the cold weather is forcing us to play indoor, we find that we are quickly running out of options. We can't find a winter home. The Beacon after school program gyms is accompanied by a lengthy detailed application form that parents don't want to be bothered with. However, school rules won't let us play without proper documentation.
During Spring/Summer/Fall, American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO) takes over all of the Parade Grounds (and Windgate Park) on Saturdays. They will not share. Period. Permits are given out on a first come, first served basis. However permit holders are given preference over newcomers each year. All they are required to do is renew. Given the size of AYSO, programs like ours will not get a permit (for Parade Grounds) any time soon.
We have also spoken to Councilman Jumaane Williams and staff. They told us that they get a limited budget to help programs like ours in March of each year and applications for assistance become available in February. Simply put they can't help us now. We also submitted a proposal to Senator Kevin Harper's office. To date we haven't gotten any feedback despite numerous follow-up phone calls.
We are looking for a home in the East Flatbush neighborhood. We are open to suggestions, and more importantly, solutions.
To put our situation into proper perspective, Poweryouths program is not just about soccer in itself. It is more about building our community one child at a time. The bigger challenge facing us is what kind of community are we going to build for our youth today in order to shape a better future for them tomorrow?
Do you have the answer? The answer will give us relief.

Miami Heat in Cleveland: We Found Our Leader!

Okay so LeBron James returned to Cleveland as a member of the Miami Heat. It was as expected. He got the welcome of the big bad sports villain returning to finish what he started: Destruction of the Cavaliers. Ha. Don't take this too seriously. Such is the nature of sports. Don't be mad at Cavaliers' fans. It is their right to vent. Especially when you have salt (and pepper!) being rubbed into an open wound. It must burn.
The reality of the situation was all too apparent for the Cavaliers' franchise. It is difficult to build a legitimate champoinship team in a small market city. Apart from the NBA draft, how do they attract and keep championship caliber players? Therefore it is unfair to compare LeBron to any other great champion who was in a big market. Kevin Garnett would have never won a championship in Minnesota. For this reason Cleveland fans (and front office), you should be aware of the real challenges ahead. Therefore LeBron did what was in his best interest. He moved on before it's too late. He may not have done it in the right way, I agree and for this reason, you may just have to forgive him. This will begin the healing of a city in pain.
Okay Erik. I hope you didn't get sidetracked with all the hoopla in Cleveland on Thursday night. The Miami Heat have spoken. Team only meeting and all and barring none, a team must have one leader inorder to be successful. LeBron clearly established that in Cleveland. Coach Spoelstra, in order to make your job easier, please let things be. You are blessed to have some of the most talented superstars on our planet; now you have yo trust them. Relax and be patient and the rest will just fall in place. Keep challenging them to reach higher heights. The best way to do this is act as though you are not too impressed. Take a page from Phil Jackson's book (if you have to ), win, and have fun.