Giving back: Roynell Young

Former NFL star ((shown at left in his Philadelphia Eagles uniform in a black and white photo) Roynell Young started an afterschool program for kids in his old neighborhood after retirement, that blossomed into a plan for a charter school and more comprehensive assistance to break a cycle of cradle to jail.

In this article, he recalls his own difficulties growing up, the role of faith and the support of community in helping him succeed. Great to hear a story about gratitude this morning.

Through the years, he said, more than 1,000 at-risk young people have arrived at his doors. And early next month, his programs, known collectively as Pro-Vision, a nonprofit organization, will move from a tiny schoolhouse to a 16-acre campus financed by private contributions. Young says he hopes his new campus — with its nature trail, garden, tree farm, amphitheater and N.F.L.-sponsored football field — will help revitalize the city’s Sunnyside community.

Young, the chief executive of Pro-Vision, said he expected the move to occur by the end of this month, but Hurricane Ike foiled that plan last week.

“At the new site, we don’t have power, trees were ripped out of the ground, fences knocked down,” he said by telephone Tuesday, adding that his staff and students were safe.

For Young, who lives in Houston with his wife, Kathleen, and has a son, Roynell Jr., the motivation for all this was personal.

“In a nutshell,” he said, “I’m one of those kids. The only difference is, I had a community to support me.”

via nytimes.com