HOWARD BANKHEAD
Blog: June 2012
Investing In Our Children
And The Future Of Our Country
I read an article published in The Huntsville Times on Thursday May 31, 2012, and I must share these facts.
In 2011, the State of Alabama spent $17.6 million on pre-K education and spent $605 million to house, feed and guard its criminal.
I am sharing these facts to encourage the people in my State of Alabama to change their way of thinking and support programs like Huntsville’s Tennessee Valley Youth Golf Development program.
Researchers for years use 3rd grade reading levels to predict budgets for building prisons. If this is true, building prisons will be a growth industry in the future, due to low academic funding today. I also notice, in a great number of communities, other growth industries are tattoos parlors, title loans and Bail Bonds businesses.
This information justifies questioning several things including:
1) The status quo funding of youth service programs
2) Our country and states true commitment to education
3) Where is the outcry from spirituals leaders (member of the clergy), parents and taxpayers?
In most cases, the good thing about bad news…is there are solutions.
Summer Reading, Math and Life Skills Golf Camp
A positive attitude, creativity and determination to positively affect the lives of youth ages 6-18.
A group of action-oriented, bold and capable individuals (the Tennessee Valley Youth Life Development committee) have committed themselves to improve the reading, math and life skills of Alabama youth through youth golf development!
Today, a large number of middle and high school students are border-line in passing reading and math. Our program will offer educational programs to help students continue to learn and retain. When the school year starts, the educational systems will not have to spend time and money on remediation.
Because of little or no opportunities for thousands of youth ages 6-18 to participate in a structured and developmental program this summer, Tennessee Valley Youth Golf Development (TVYGD) will present education thru golf programs in Florence, Decatur and Huntsville. Each location has a Youth Life & Golf Development Coordinator who is committed to providing structured and developmental opportunities in their communities.
TVYGD committee includes Bruce Jones in Decatur (coordinator), Ronald Collier in Florence (coordinator), Coach Ray Greene in Huntsville (coordinator), Georgia Hendrix, Topper Birney, Elizabeth Sloan-Ragland, Rev. James M. Jones, Sr., George Malone, Dr. Cydale Smith, Ramona Roberts, and Pastor Ted Acklin. They are helping assemble a team of educators, coaches, pastors, parents and other compassionate individuals who truly care for our children. Over 200 boys and girls are projected to benefit from these programs.
With this being said, we ask that you assist us financially so we can help the students, their families, the educational systems and our communities.
Mission
To positively affect the lives of youth ages 6-18 by providing access to training facilities and educational programs that encourages fitness, etiquette and learning through golf skills.
In return, of a fulfilled mission…our youth will acquire social skills and work ethic needed to become productive citizens!
Purpose of program
The purpose of the program is to introduce students (primary) in grades 2 – 5 to math and life skills using golf as the context. Programs will include tutoring, mentoring, academic and athletic activities. These programs have multiple effects including: increasing interest in reading and expanding the understanding of math, as well as exposing more youth to the game of golf and character development.
60(a) + 40(g) =100(pi) formula is used to insure that the participant will experience quality academics and athletics in their development. 60 % (academics) + 40 % (golf) = 100 (positive impact)
Give Youth A Gift For Life, Youth Golf Development!
Howard Bankhead
Executive Director
Tennessee Valley Youth Golf Development
604 Jordan Lane
Huntsville, AL 35816 USA
256-604-8172
