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Athletes for Education

Athletes for Education

Former professional athlete Steven Haynes has a passion to help youth help themselves. Inspired by that enthusiasm, he has been running Athletes for Education (AFE) for 15 years. What began as a few of Haynes’ friends helping out a few kids has grown into a full-blown, all-volunteer organization of current and retired professional athletes who serve as mentors and provide scholarship award programs to youth.

“A professional athlete opens the eyes of kids because they are an entertainer many of the kids only recognize for their endeavors on the football field,” says Haynes, “and we give the kids a chance to get to know the athletes.” Young people respond positively, he points out, when people they respect take a sincere interest in their personal abilities and talents. Thus, by creating an enduring relationship with ongoing rewards, good choices are continually encouraged. “If you help create [good] habits by being there for them all year long, they make smarter decisions,” says Haynes.

The beauty of the organization is that it allows each athlete to get involved in his or her own way. For example, through the AFE infrastructure, Chargers wide receiver Kassim Osgood launched a multi-endeavor mentorship and scholarship program called Team KO. As part of his mentorship program, Kassim sponsors 80 kids who have improved their academic and citizenship performance and are from families who cannot afford tickets at each Chargers home game. Osgood also hosts an annual celebrity golf tournament and live auctions to pay for the tickets he rewards to youth and to raise funds. In addition, he supports other athletes’ programs, speaks at local San Diego County schools, visits Children’s Hospital and volunteers for public service announcements for literacy.

Chargers defensive tackle Luis Castillo’s involvement is somewhat different, suiting his interests and needs, but is also far-reaching. He sponsors 20 kids to each Chargers game as a reward for improved academic grades and citizenship in the community. He also hosts a high school football camp and the annual Camp Castillo, held in Tijuana, which rewards youth for achieving literacy and citizenship objectives. Through Luis’ mentorship program, Castillo’s Cargadores, Castillo rewards kids in the Hispanic community for improved literacy, citizenship and community service. “We do so many different things,” he says. “It’s not just targeted to one set of kids; we do things along all fields. [AFE] gives us lots of opportunities to get out in the community and spend time with kids.”

Regardless of the activity and the athletes involved, one underlying objective remains: to support children in developing self-confidence by encouraging them to be creative, build bridges instead of walls and dare to dream.