(San Francisco) - Through an exciting partnership with the University of San Francisco Athletics Department, Harper for Kids nonprofit organization and the Dons have been taking their youth development programs to local San Francisco schools. Harper for Kids administers a youth development program for children based on the philosophy of iconic UCLA Coach John Wooden and his famed Pyramid of Success.
The Dons and Harper for Kids have been able to bring their message to numerous San Francisco schools including Sunset, Claire Lilienthal Alternative, Robert Louis Stevenson, Yick Wo Alternative, McKinley, Tenderloin Community, Daniel Webster and Cabrillo.
In addition, USF has extended the invitation to the youth at Harper for Kids to attend each of the remaining 10 home games in the 2011-2012 men's and women's basketball seasons. This coming Saturday, December 17th, USF will host Harper for Kids youth at its annual Kids Day where all youth ages 12 and under receive free admission to the women's and men's basketball double-header. Between the women's game against Sacramento State at 5pm and the men's game against Menlo College at 7pm, the women's basketball team will be signing autographs on team posters. After the men's game, all youth will be invited down onto the court to make a lay-up.
Through the program, USF student-athletes serve as positive role models and coaches, bringing Harper for Kids program directly to the kids in a variety of engaging ways: during their physical education class time, through exciting exhibitions of their sports to demonstrate the character traits and through book readings of Coach Wooden's children's book Inch and Miles: The Journey to Success. The goal of our school programming is to inspire schools to incorporate Coach Wooden's Pyramid of Success into their character education program and to teach children important life skills that will help them fulfill their potential and achieve success throughout their lives.
Tim and Peanut Harper, co-founders of Harper for Kids:
"Harper for Kids is honored to partner with the prestigious University of San Francisco with its deep history and proud sense of community. The goal of the Harper for Kids youth development program is to teach children how to achieve their personal best in life using legendary UCLA Coach John Wooden's Pyramid of Success. This special partnership with USF gives us the opportunity to deliver these life lessons to more children than ever before. The USF coaches and the student-athletes strongly believe in Coach Wooden's philosophy, which makes them the ideal role models for these young children and they make a positive impact every time they visit a school with us. Their passion and commitment is inspiring to all."
Scott Sidwell, Director of Athletics, University of San Francisco:
"We are thrilled to partner with Harper for Kids led by Tim and Peanut Harper. The opportunity to teach the great lessons of Coach Wooden's Pyramid of Success are what we are teaching our own student athletes on a daily basis. We believe that we can impact the lives of the youth of San Francisco by visiting with them in their schools, teaching positive lessons, and having them come to our games. We want them to believe that some day they may be able to have the opportunity to attend college and be successful in their lives."
Greg Moore, USF Men's Baseball Associate Head Coach:
"Harper for Kids educates and serves at the same time. Our players have been on the playground alongside Tim and Peanut. Enthusiasm and valuable character development reach the elementary school students and the college student-athletes alike. I have seen the group captivate 10 year-olds with ideas of self-control, determination and poise. One of our baseball players was so moved that he began to mentor based on HFK's ideas."
Peter Bartlett, USF Men's Tennis Head Coach:
"I really think community service is such an important piece to the growth of our student-athletes. It's so important for them to recognize that they are part of a bigger picture. In the world of computers and technology it's very easy to forget how powerful face to face interaction and teaching can be in a young person's life. Harper for Kids program and specifically the Pyramid of Success gives our team a wonderful formula to impart a great message to grade school children about the building blocks of success. Our team has really embraced and learned a lot about themselves and have begun to recognize how they can be positive role models in the San Francisco community."
Pablo Pires de Almeida, USF Men's Tennis Asst. Coach:
"At Yick Wo School, I witnessed the true impact of the HFK impression on children and my team. Our team is very diverse and this helps kids naturally relate to older role models. When we had four of our players speak about their personal experience regarding a specific block, I really saw the kids eyes light up. Not only did it force our players to engage and own a block publicly, but also it helped the kids see that a mentor does the same thing they are doing when they look at the pyramid. It was beautiful to watch!"
ABOUT HARPER FOR KIDS: Harper for Kids is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. The mission of Harper for Kids is to teach children the important life skills that will empower them to achieve their personal best in life. Our vision is that HFK's youth development program, which is based upon legendary UCLA Coach Wooden's Pyramid of Success, will help children develop good character. HFK also hopes to inspire the adults in the children's lives to be good role models of important core, ethical values and help foster a healthy community.
