Successful And Educated Youth Makers In Delco County And Christy Rec. Center Philly by Van Stone frontpagenews1@yahoo.com (267) 293-9201
Lawrence Aikens, Director of:
Ravens Youth Athletic Association in collaboration
with Civic Leaders in Darby, PA, Yeadon, PA,
Lansdowne, PA, and East Lansdowne, PA,
Southwest and West Philadelphia as well.
Lawrence Aikens started
leading children to become successful and well educated well before he was old
enough to attend high school. Now the kids that he has helped, kids who live in
West Delaware County, PA, Southwest Philadelphia and West Philly, are getting
the attention of townships, boroughs and cities. This is happening
because Aikens is taking youth services work by storm and winning praise across
Darby, PA, Yeadon, PA, Lansdowne, PA, East Lansdowne, PA, as well as sections
of Southwest and West Philly.
Lawrence Aikens, is
involved in activities in Delco County and Philly County community sections
because he loves to volunteer.
Q. As long as you
can remember, how long have you been surrounded by youth sports and community
activities that cross both Delco County and Philly?
A. “I have been involved
in youth sports for 28yrs,” says Aikens. He has trained children in the study of football,
basketball, and baseball.
Q.When did you
begin coaching football, basketball, and baseball? And is there any
other youth sport that was not mentioned?
A. “I first began
as a volunteer along with my childhood friend Terry Atkinson.
We started our first program in 1995. We've partnered with other organizations
to become a year-round entity.” Lawrence has also been involved in instructing
flag football.
Q.Who inspired you to do
community services?
A. There were many
older guys in our neighborhood who coached recreation ball, but there was
one who taught me how to play. This man played football at
Olney High. My style, technique and play was inspired because of
"Big Ricky"
Q.What is the name
of the top youth sports team that you work with in Delaware County
and/or Philly? Provide any details such as the ages involved, the rank,
the class or the division of each sport.
A.
The name of my top youth sports team today is the Ravens Youth Athletic
Association. It is a highly developed and successful program for children ages
5-15 years-old. We’re made up of sports branches. Some have football teams and
cheerleading squads. Our program is designed to teach leadership,
responsibility and fun through organized and constructive sports. And we
provide education through mentoring children and youth programming.
“I have to give credit to
the staff at Sherwood Recreation Center (now A.W. Christy Rec. Center located
at 56th and Christian Street) headed by the late Ms. Hart, Roland
Elliott, Larry Jones and the late James Flint, Sr. Their dedication, caring,
and service inspired me to continue what they started.”
Q. What traits do you
feel that kids from Delco County and Philly area have in common? And why do you
feel that these traits need your attention to help them succeed in school, in
the neighborhood, and cross counties?
A lot of these kids come
from low to middle class families. And it is my personal observation that due
to the lack of constructive alternatives our children will become negative both
at home and in school.
I believe that we can
change the scholastic and recreational needs by increasing the academic levels
of our student athletes, by providing significant improvement in
"Peers" helping "Peers", by providing a significant
increase in the attendance of students in school, and by decreasing the
uprising of juvenile mischief in both the schools and community.
Q.During the spring and
through the summer of 2014 what areas of the city are you hoping to work with
to demonstrate that you are concerned about both youth education and sports
activity? Provide any details as to your opinion about what you feel the youth
and/or parents should do when or if they become involved in excellent youth
programs.
A. “During the spring
and summer of 2014, we will begin working with and partnering with groups from
the Darby, Yeadon, East Lansdowne, and Southwest and West Philly areas.” Aikens' hope is to work with
children and parents who are from the neighboring Lansdowne community as well.
We hope that both
parents and youths give us every opportunity to show them how important they
are to us. Their support and patience is extremely important. It is important
for us to impact our children by giving them a safe and secure environment in
their community.
“We have served the West and Southwest Philly
area for more than 10 years. Let us continue our work,” says Aikens.
For more information or to register call the Ravens Youth Athletic Association at: 215-681-0051
For more information or to register call the Ravens Youth Athletic Association at: 215-681-0051
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