An Opportunity to ACHIEVE - NRPA 2000 Urban Youth Initiative - Brief Article

Parks & Recreation, June, 2000 by John Webster

At NRPA, we believe that a young person should not be denied an opportunity to participate in a sport as a result of obstacles that are easily overcome with the right support.

It's no secret that today's youth are faced with many tough issues, such as drugs, alcohol, gangs, conflict, and school drop out. However, with the right motivation, stimulation, encouragement, and incentive, they will be able to overcome any obstacle. Young people want to be a part of positive endeavors and to succeed. It's our role, as professionals in the field of parks and recreation, to provide them with as much exposure to positive influences as possible, which will, in turn, lead to greater options for positive opportunity.

In keeping with this concept, NRPA has created the "NRPA 2000 Urban Youth Initiative." The goals of this program are:

* Increase public awareness of programs and activities being implemented in urban and inner-city areas,

* Broaden the knowledge of youth in regard to the field of recreation and the many opportunities it presents, and

* Implement partnerships that provide programs in urban areas, which will concentrate on awareness, confidence, and self-esteem.

As part of this program, the Urban Youth Initiative has created the "NRPA Golf Classic." On July 11, 2000, at the Enterprise Golf Course in Mitchellville, Maryland, NRPA will debut this golf tournament to benefit Junior Golf. Proceeds from the tournament will fund clinics, pay equipment fees and transportation costs, and provide instruction to junior golfers. Our intent is to replicate this endeavor across the country.

Over the past 3-5 years, golf has reached a new level of popularity in urban and inner-city areas, due in large part to Tiger Woods. Through his phenomenon, urban and inner-city youth have become more intrigued by the sport, but many who want to participate are not able due to economic issues, transportation challenges, and other reasons. But at NRPA, we believe that a young person should not be denied an opportunity to participate as a result of obstacles that are easily overcome with the right support. As professionals, we must continue to push the envelope. We must continue to develop opportunities for urban youth, affording them the opportunity to participate.

Young people want to feel needed and to believe in someone or something. Every youth deserves the chance to succeed regardless of race, sex, religion, or economic status. Sometimes we must reach further and work harder to gain the trust of inner-city youth to get and keep them in the program. The NRPA Golf Classic will assist parks and rec departments in enhancing positive and productive behaviors in America's young people. The NRPA 2000 Urban Youth Initiative is committed to promoting positive opportunities to youth in urban and inner-city areas. Inside each young person is the ability to be a lawyer, musician, principal, architect, policeman, engineer, or any career that a young boy or girl dreams about. Our hope is that this initiative will aid our youth in recognizing and developing the attitudes and skills necessary to be successful adults. So support NRPA in this endeavor. This is the one shot we have that can make a difference in the future of our children. Let's get a hole in one!

For more information about the NRPA 2000 Urban Youth Initiative or the NRPA Golf Classic contact: John Webster, NRPA, 22377 Belmont Ridge Road, Ashburn, Virginia 20148, 703-858-2199, fax: 703-858-0794, jwebster@nrpa.org

John Webster, a native of Salisbury, Maryland, worked for eight years as a regional manager for the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission before joining NRPA as head of its Youth Services initiative last year.