Coach and Father Uses Basketball to Keep Kids Off Streets Volunteerin

Coach and Father Uses Basketball to Keep Kids Off Streets Volunteerin

Coach and Father Uses Basketball to Keep Kids Off Streets, Volunteerin...

Coach and Father Uses Basketball to Keep Kids Off Streets

His backyard serves as community sports palace

Many top NBA players rise to fame on sheer talent. But too many young athletes don't have the skills to help them rise above the rough neighborhoods they grow up in. Gangs, drugs and other constant temptations can easily overwhelm a child’s ambitions and moral compass.

Enter Willie Johnson. In response to the growing distractions he saw in his Detroit neighborhood, Johnson began inviting kids to in the full-size basketball court he built for his children in his own backyard. Young men and women jump at the chance to play in Johnson's safe, supervised environment away from the , but the chance to show off their dribbling and layup skills comes with a price: they have to play by Johnson's rules. No drooping pants. No cursing. And above all, no fighting. Oh, and they’re also required to show their report cards. It’s all part of Johnson’s plan to recast the attitude behind the game.

takes to the court with this local hero who has opened up not only his backyard, but his heart, too.

Related

Cancel You are leaving AARP.org and going to the website of our trusted provider. The provider’s terms, conditions and policies apply. Please return to AARP.org to learn more about other benefits. Your email address is now confirmed. You'll start receiving the latest news, benefits, events, and programs related to AARP's mission to empower people to choose how they live as they age. You can also by updating your account at anytime. You will be asked to register or log in. Cancel Offer Details Disclosures

Close In the next 24 hours, you will receive an email to confirm your subscription to receive emails related to AARP volunteering. Once you confirm that subscription, you will regularly receive communications related to AARP volunteering. In the meantime, please feel free to search for ways to make a difference in your community at Javascript must be enabled to use this site. Please enable Javascript in your browser and try again.
Share:
0 comments

Comments (0)

Leave a Comment

Minimum 10 characters required

* All fields are required. Comments are moderated before appearing.

No comments yet. Be the first to comment!

Coach and Father Uses Basketball to Keep Kids Off Streets Volunteerin | Trend Now | Trend Now