HOWARD BANKHEAD
Blog: May 2012
LEADERSHIP
Giving back to the community that offered me options as a youth!
I know many youth will not have the opportunity to travel and take a “summer vacation.” I didn’t when I was growing up in Florence, Alabama. But, I had the opportunity to work summer jobs and participate in summer sporting leagues such as baseball, basketball and AAMU track… but never golf.
In today’s world, less constructive summer jobs and sporting leagues are made available. If a child is not doing something productive with their time, that leads to mischief. In the underserved black communities, a large number of parents/guardians will drop off their child or allow their children to visit and hang around at the community recreational center.
For some reason(s), doing the summer months, when kids are out of school and the kids are suppose to be having a good time, a good number of our children are digressing educationally. I don’t have the statistics, but a number of school age students in the grades of 4-10 seem to lose in two months what they gained in nine months of schoolings.
These facts prove that during the summer months, there is a need for more structural educational and entertaining programs. In Alabama, since going to school year-round is out of the question, I suggest the kids play summer sports and continue their education in a part-time school and or educational program. This is an economic and educational matter, because remediation causes the educational systems time and money, the two major items we do not have enough of.
Because of the compassion and love for our youth, the Tennessee Valley Youth Golf Development (TVYGD) will provide summer sports and educational programs. This is part of 3-5-10 Mentoring Initiative.
Reaching out and servicing more youth
Due to little or no opportunity for thousands of youth ages 6-18 to participate in a structured and developmental program this summer. Huntsville’s Tennessee Valley Youth Golf Development will present programs in three locations. Each location has a Youth Life & Golf Development Coordinator who has committed to providing structured and developmental opportunities in their communities. Bruce Jones in Decatur; Ronald Collier in Florence and Coach Ray Greene in Huntsville are helping in assembling a team of educators, instructors, pastors, parents and other compassionate individuals who truly care for our children.
Geography – where is the Tennessee Valley…?
The Tennessee Valley is the drainage basin of the Tennessee River and is largely within the U.S. state of Tennessee. It stretches from southwest Kentucky to northwest Georgia and from northeast Mississippi to the mountains of Virginia and North Carolina. The border of the valley is known as the Tennessee Valley Divide.
Tennessee Valley is also a generally accepted term for North Alabama, anchored by the city of Huntsville. Other cities in the Tennessee Valley are Decatur, Florence and Madison. These cities are located within three counties including: Decatur in Morgan, Florence in Lauderdale and Huntsville in Madison. These towns and cities are within a 75-90 miles radius. These data is necessary to make the case for the services/programs needed to improve the lives of our youth.
Point of reference: Alabama is one of the poorest and low graded states in the United States. A large percentage of youth in Alabama are being deprived of their, rights”. Outside the home, the first rights all youth should have are the right for a quality education. The Second right, to have the opportunity to develop the talents that they are blessed with. Along with citizens rights, should be citizen obligations. The third right should be, that all youth have to perform, give-back-time and/or community service.
The program/services of TVYGD are needed much more in counties and small towns throughout Alabama. TVYGD has developed a model to carry throughout the State of Alabama and eventually to other states.
Lighting the Lamp!
TVYGD philosophy sees each youth as a lamp, waiting to be lit. The nature of our work is like lighting a lamp. Each student is a lamp and our teaching/instructions are in essence designed to light the lamp.
As we do with the Jazz Education…Is Cool in the Schools program, and the Math, Life & Golf Skills program, our joint mission is to help turn on the light in the lives of our youth.
Each student is a lamp and our instructors are in essence lighting the lamp. When a student finally understands a math problem…that adds fuel to the lamp; when students hear a jazz quartet performing in their school, it helps them to enjoy school. The music/art appreciation programs are lights for the lamp.
From the golf prospective, when a student understands the concept of swinging the golf club and hitting the ball to a target, the light comes on. This is also called self-discovery, which is the best form of the lamp being lit!
Through the music, math, life & golf skills program, these events are lights that you will shine on your student’s everyday and we need to let the light shine so others may benefit.
Matthew 5:15-16 KJV
“Neither do men light a candle and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.”
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”
God have given me a light and we are going to let the light shine. For Decatur, Florence and Huntsville, I propose to offer free math, life & golf skills classes for the first 25 youth ages 7-18 that signup.
I ask the faith-based community, businesses and individuals to financially support this free youth math, life & golf skills developmental program.
Give Youth A Gift For Life, Youth Golf Development!
“Anything positive is possible”
Howard Bankhead
Executive Director
Tennessee Valley Youth Golf Development
604 Jordan Lane
Huntsville, AL 35816 USA
256-604-8172
