Alief All-Stars, HBU and Winning Generation give students hope through hoops

HOUSTON – With so much free time and so many options for parents and students for their out of school time needs,
Heads UP Houston created the Choice to CHOOSE campaign with the Community Healthy Out Of School Enrichment Winter
Sports program highlighting the menu of options. With a mission of maximizing the capacity of all people through all things,
local organizations are lining up to lead the efforts of building in the community.

Partnering with Winning Generation, Alief All-Stars and Houston Baptist University, Saturday, February 18 will be Spirit Day
and serve as the Alief All-Stars Homecoming; all hosted graciously by HBU at the Glasscock Activity Center. Alief and
Southwest Houston are subject to high gang activity and considered unsafe areas by the Houston Police Department.
Research shows that “youth from low-income families engage in more risky behavior, i.e. truancy, sexual relations, and drug
use.” Children are influenced by gang members, involved in drugs, crimes and other dangerous behaviors.

“Where there is no vision, there is no hope, with no hope, the community fails, that’s why I created Winning Generation; to
give hope to a generation of winners,” said Winning Generation CEO, Kawanus L. Richard. “Providing a child with the
opportunity to advance,” is the focus for Joe Dinnon, Founder of the Alief All-Stars Basketball Program. Both gentlemen have
joined forces and mobilized nearly 40 young student-athletes who participate in the basketball league.

Saturday, February 18, 2017 will be a day filled with fun, family and competitive hoops for the young students of Alief.
Beginning at 12 PM students will fellowship and interact, build community and be blessed by positive messages from strong
leaders followed by 5th and 6th grade and 7th and 8th grade games at 1 PM, 2 PM, 3 PM, 4 PM and 5 PM at the Glasscock
Activity Center, 7506 Fondren, Houston TX 77074. There will be a $2 donation required for parents and guests for entry.
Guests also may attend the HBU vs Randall game at Sharp Gym at 7:00 PM. Game tickets are $2 for kids and $10 for adults.

Some specific goals and outcomes for the 2016-17 school year include:

  • Help youth develop confidence and set high goals.
  • Prioritize youth education through creating optimal support and development environments aimed to maximize
    student effort towards academic improvement and achievement.
  • Emphasize the critical need for full family engagement and support systems.
  • Increase access to value-rich programming in Alief apartment communities.
  • Improve student commitment to education and reduced out of school time delinquent behavior.
  • Use best practice youth development strategies to promote building positive social, emotional and behavioral
    competencies.
  • Create opportunities to support the less fortunate with access to resources, meals, school supplies, holiday need items
    and clothing.

COMMIT TO IMPACT THROUGH DONATION

To support Spirit Day, feel free to make financial contributions to underwrite costs of supplemental supplies. Please connect with to us for drop off locations and details on how to make in-kind donations.

COMMIT TO IMPACT THROUGH SERVICE

Individuals who would like to volunteer to support local community development should contact Kevin Kebede at
832-607-6557, or [email protected].

COMMITTED TO A SPIRIT OF APPRECIATION

Many thanks to the First Baptist Church of Alief, The Bridge, Elite Urban Youth, 5Works, Alief ISD, and the Kingsley Foundation for their lead contributions and support. Follow our Commit to a Spirit of Appreciation Campaign on Instagram
@headsuphouston.